Kenbrell Thompkins or Tavon Austin?

[TDs3nOut]

Which of the two will have a better rookie year? I'll go ahead and admit that this question is motivated by my having drafted both on my fantasy team. Don't really know much about either guy, but my feeling right now is that I might end up liking my 14th round pick of Thompkins better than having taken Austin in the 6th round. Just curious what folks think about the prospects for these two rookie WRs this year.

 

[cdumler7]

Watching the Rams game from this past weekend and listening to what they have been doing so far in Preseason it does seem like they have been trying to keep how they are going to use Austin a secret. I would say go with Austin as right now he will be their top weapon where Thompkins might be the 3rd or lower option in New England.

 

[TDs3nOut]

Watching the Rams game from this past weekend and listening to what they have been doing so far in Preseason it does seem like they have been trying to keep how they are going to use Austin a secret. I would say go with Austin as right now he will be their top weapon where Thompkins might be the 3rd or lower option in New England.

Good point about the Rams possibly not yet tipping their hand yet about how to use Austin. Seems like every time I've seen them play the past couple of years I've thought that Bradford looks as if he'd be a good QB if he had better protection and some WRs who could hold onto the ball, other than Amendola, who of course is now gone and who was often hurt in the past. Adding Jake Long figures to help Bradford, but the losses of Jackson and Amendola won't help their offense. The TE Cook is a nice addition that figures to help them sustain drives, but aside from that long punt return against us, Austin didn't didn't really do anything.

 

[RonBorges]

Austin will be given opportunities to make plays both on offense and special teams.

Even if Thompkins catches on with the first team, his scoring production will be limited in the first half of the season. That's the way Belichick develops young players. Belichick will not take wraps off until the second half.

 

[TDs3nOut]

Austin will be given opportunities to make plays both on offense and special teams.

Even if Thompkins catches on with the first team, his scoring production will be limited in the first half of the season. That's the way Belichick develops young players. Belichick will not take wraps off until the second half.

Perhaps you are right. However, I did read a blog piece that suggests Thompkins has the inside track at the starting X WR spot to begin the season.

 

[Clayton]

Not touching Austin when I get a FF league going. Rams D/St, Givens and Cook are in play, though.

 

[David_son]

If you only get points for receiving probably Thompkins if you will be getting points for Austins Special Teams work then I will say Austin.

 

[TDs3nOut]

If you only get points for receiving probably Thompkins if you will be getting points for Austins Special Teams work then I will say Austin.

That's what I'm thinking too.

 

[TDs3nOut]

Couldn't resist bumping this. Thought for sure I'd get some reassurance from a Pats homer telling me how awesome Thompkins will be this year. Maybe even a Rams homer -- if one exists -- saying something similar about Austin.

 

[Nyfan1980]

Austin is the better player.

 

[TDs3nOut]

Austin is the better player.

Yeah, I recall that you were hoping that the Jets would draft Austin, but that isn't my question. Which will score more fantasy points?

 

[Nyfan1980]

Yeah, I recall that you were hoping that the Jets would draft Austin, but that isn't my question. Which will score more fantasy points?

Thompkins is a UDFA WR on the Patriots right?

Austin will probably score more fantasy points. Where is Thompkins listed on the depth chart? I am pretty sure Austin will end up being the Rams #1 WR and best offensive player. Hes electric.

 

[TDs3nOut]

Thompkins is a UDFA WR on the Patriots right?

Austin will probably score more fantasy points. Where is Thompkins listed on the depth chart? I am pretty sure Austin will end up being the Rams #1 WR and best offensive player. Hes electric.

I think that Thomkins is slated for the Pats starting WR position. Hope you're right about Austin.

By the way, you still discount my warning that Ivory is an injury concern?

 

[Nyfan1980]

I think that Thomkins is slated for the Pats starting WR position. Hope you're right about Austin.

By the way, you still discount my warning that Ivory is an injury concern?

? Who knows with Ivory. Hes healthy right now, we'll see if he can last the season. Hes not listed as the starter, Bilal Powell is. I'm happy Goodson showed up, even if hes suspended for the first 4 games. He is a explosive back. Ivory looks talented though, he dind't have much of a chancein preseason but he showed some nice burst and ability to break tackles.

 

[TDs3nOut]

? Who knows with Ivory. Hes healthy right now, we'll see if he can last the season. Hes not listed as the starter, Bilal Powell is. I'm happy Goodson showed up, even if hes suspended for the first 4 games. He is a explosive back. Ivory looks talented though, he dind't have much of a chancein preseason but he showed some nice burst and ability to break tackles.

I think that Ivory is a really good back. Hopefully he stays healthy and gets a chance to play. If that happens, then I think he'll be very productive.

 

[Clayton]

Couldn't resist bumping this. Thought for sure I'd get some reassurance from a Pats homer telling me how awesome Thompkins will be this year. Maybe even a Rams homer -- if one exists -- saying something similar about Austin.

The argument for Austin is that Jeff Fisher has been holding back in the preseason. Austin Pettis is also from a previous regime and was terrible against Denver so that might leave some space for a different WR to break the starting lineup from Day 1. Stories out of practice say that Tavon Austin has beaten Finnegan on deep patterns on more than one occasion.

 

[TDs3nOut]

The argument for Austin is that Jeff Fisher has been holding back in the preseason. Austin Pettis is also from a previous regime and was terrible against Denver so that might leave some space for a different WR to break the starting lineup from Day 1. Stories out of practice say that Tavon Austin has beaten Finnegan on deep patterns on more than one occasion.

 

[Clayton]

The other argument would be that the best CBs on opposing NFC West teams are all big, physical DBs and Tavon is a tiny ankle breaker that will likely match up against the 2nd-3rd CBs on opposing teams. Thats also the argument that he might end up getting injured quickly, too, but he has no history of that.

 

[Kold]

I've been watching the Pats since the 1st preseason game because I had my eyes on Aaron Dobson vs Thompkins. Thompkins has a REALLY good connection with Brady and has locked down his spot as the number 2/possibly future number 1 receiver spot. I caught the Rams last week and Austin is gonna be good, but he just doesn't get the consistent looks from Bradford that Thompkins gets from Brady. I'd go Thompkins

 

[Jims_Doors]

This is from yesterday:

(Rotoworld) The Post-Dispatch expects Chris Givens to see more targets than Tavon Austin this season.

Analysis: We suspect Jared Cook will see more targets as well. Austin has the electrifying moves and speed in the open field, but he's concentrating on returns and short passes out of the slot right now. The No. 8 overall pick is a prime candidate to be overdrafted in fantasy circles thanks to his real-life draft status. Austin is unlikely to be a red-zone factor at 5'8/174.