Published Jul 21, 2016
Preseason Preview: Receivers
Pete Scantlebury  •  Mizzou Today
Staff

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.

Projected Preseason WR Depth
NOTE: Missouri's receivers have done away from X, H and Z labels. For this, we're viewing WR3 as the slot receivers.
WR 1YearWR 2YearWR 3Year

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.