Miles Austin: A Star Is Born?

I drafted Miles Austin in my Fantasy Football League this past year in the hope that perhaps he could wind up winning a starting role opposite Roy Williams. Fast Forward to Week 5 and that 'hope' was about to become a reality.

In Week 5, Austin was given his chance, with an injury to Williams as it turned out, and the undrafted FA from Monmouth didn't disappoint. 250 yds on 10 receptions and a couple of TD's to boot announced the arrival of a superstar in Big D. If that first starting performance was a sign of things to come, the following game (Week 7 as it turned out; week 6 was a Cowboys bye week) didn't disappoint either. Another 171 yds on 6 receptions and 2 more TD's made most poeple really stand up and take notice. Miles Autin had arrived. In a big way!

After a couple of weeks of less than stellar performances (Austin went for 14 receptions, 177 yds and 2 TD's over the next 4 games), Austin again proved why so many were excited by what he had done in his first 2 starts. Miles returned 551 yds on 39 receptions and 4 more TD's during the next 5 games (up to but not including Week 17).

Through Week 16, Austin has accumulated statistics that would make a seasoned WR proud...and he virtually missed the first 4 games of the season. His statistics have to make even the most skeptical amongst us take note;

74 receptions (5 in the first 4 weeks), 1230 yds (81 in the first 4 weeks), 82 ypg, 16.6 yds per reception (with a long of 60 yds), 7.5 yac, 55 1st Downs and 11 TD's. These numbers rank him in the top 10 in most categories and top 5 in some. A full season as starter and Austin's numbers project to elite status.

Austin is currently 14th in Receptions, 5th in Yds, 5th in ypg, 5th in yards per reception average for anyone with over 60 receptions (1st of anyone over 70 receptions), 1st in YAC of anyone with 60 or more receptions (hell, even Desean Jackson, he of the 'big play, has 60 receptions but only a 6.6 YAC compared to Austin's 7.5), 11th in 1st Downs, and 3rd in TD's behind only Larry Fitzgerald and Randy Moss.

These numbers put him in some elite company. With Tony Romo throwing the ball to Austin, the sky is the limit for #19. Another season with numbers like these and Austin could soon find himself a true superstar...and a surefire top 5 WR in Fantasy Football for years to come. Even with 3 years biding his time, the undrafted player is still only 25 (turns 26 in June 2010).

The 6' 3", 214 lb WR was recently named to his first Pro Bowl (along with Sidney Rice, another fantastic young reciever making a name for himself), a fine reward for a fantastic breakout year and culminating in his first start in the playoffs.

Breakout Player of the Year? For Sure. A star is born? Definitely!