Top 5 St. Louis Rams players heading into Week 11

Sep 13, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams wide receiver Tavon Austin (11) scores a touch down against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

No. 3 Tavon Austin

Tay-Awesome is actually awesome this year under new offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti. The third year explosive receiver out of West Virginia is finally living up to his eighth overall pick expectations. Maybe all Austin needed to be successful on the football field was for the offensive coordinator who-shall-not-be-named to leave for the University of Georgia.

Austin is one of the most special talents at receiver right now. Standing at 5’9 and weighing 175 pounds with wet clothes on, he’ll never be the number one receiver that the Rams are looking for. but he’s been blessed with lightning speed, extraordinary field vision, and durability. His inhuman ability to cut-on-a-dime is reminiscent of a certain NFL legend:

"“In build, and speed, and quickness, and athletic ability? I think [Tavon Austin] is Barry Sanders.” –Skip Bayless, ESPN reporter on First Take"

For the past three years, the Rams have been criticized for not giving Tavon Austin enough touches. An offensive talent like Austin simply needs the ball in his hands to make big plays, but the Rams had failed to give it to him consistently in his first two seasons.

In just nine games, Tavon Austin has 30 receptions for 305 yards and four receiving touchdowns along with 28 carries for 225 yards and one rushing touchdown. He has also been effective on special teams as a punt returner, returning nineteen kicks for 178 yards and one touchdown. That means that Austin makes up 35.3% of the Rams’ total touchdowns this season.

The St. Louis Rams have a painfully substandard offense that only produces 18.4 points a game this season. Now imagine how much more terrible the offense would be if Austin wasn’t on the team. Sorry for the nightmares, Rams fans.

Next: No. 2