Preseason Preview: Receivers
The PowerMizzou.com Preseason Previews moves onto the biggest -- and the one with less proven talent than any other -- position group. This one, folks, is throwing darts, and hoping (for Missouri's sake) that a few stick.
| WR 1 | Year | WR 2 | Year | WR 3 | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Nate Brown |
JR |
J'Mon MooreR |
RS JR |
Chris Black |
SR |
|
Keyon Dilosa |
RS SO |
Emanuel Hall |
SO |
Eric Laurent |
SR |
|
DeSean Blair |
RS SO |
Justin Smith |
RS FR |
Ray Wingo |
RS SO |
|
Dominic Collins |
JR |
|
Johnathan Johnson |
RS Fr |
|
|
RIchaud Floyd |
RS Fr |
||||
|
Dimetrios Mason |
Fr |
Missouri's receivers -- where starters don't matter...
This isn't supposed to be a fatalist sub-headline about the lack of production among Missouri's entourage of receivers. It's about the fact that it doesn't really matter who starts for Missouri this year, at least at the start. If Josh Heupel want's to go f-f-fast with his offense, then he needs to find the best six or eight guys that can run in and out and actually produce on the field.
Missouri has 18 receivers listed on its roster; 13 are on scholarship. There are plenty of bodies to choose from. And, yes, Missouri's quarterback will have to play better this year. The running backs will have to play better. The offensive line, too. But Missouri HAS to find a group of (probably) at least six receivers that can consistently (1) catch the ball and (2) do something after the catch if the offense is going to rebound this year.
Heupel's offense is going to be quick. That's not just about tempo from down-to-snap-to-down-to-snap. That means that Drew Lock, most of the time, will have to find the first receiver open (no matter the distance) and get rid of the ball. You may not see a lot of deep drops. But that puts the onus not just on Lock, but on receivers to know when they will be the first read, and then to get upfield and get those yards that Missouri lacked last year.
Who starts? I have no idea.
Does it matter?
Not at first, anyway.