Last season, Rams receiver Tavon Austin caught a career-high 52 passes. This season, coach Jeff Fisher is expecting a whole lot more than that.
Fisher told the team’s website that he’s expecting opposing defenses to put their focus on stopping running back Todd Gurley, and that could open things up in the passing game to the point where Austin could top 100 catches this season.
“When it’s all said and done, we’re going to look back and, I think, see Tavon maybe doubling the number of catches he had last year,” Fisher said.
That sounds like wishful thinking, but if Austin can emerge as a true No. 1 receiver for the Rams, that would go a long way toward making rookie quarterback Jared Goff comfortable. Making sure Goff is in position to succeed is the Rams’ top priority, and Austin will be a big part of that.