With the loss of leading receiver Emory Blake and coach Gus Malzahn reinstalling his high-tempo spread offense, no other position group is in more need of playmakers than the receivers.
Along with Blake graduating Auburn also lost TravonteStallworth and DeAngelo Benton, leaving the Tigers with four receivers that have already earned playing time in Sammie Coates, Trovon Reed, Quan Bray, Ricardo Louis and Jaylon Denson.
Sammie Coates was Auburn's lone bright spot besides Blake last year. He finished the year with six receptions for 114 yards and proved that he can be a reliable deep threat. In 2013 he will have to become more consistent, but has a good shot to be a major contributor this fall.
To many, Trovon Reed has been a disappointment after the highly touted recruit signed with Auburn. But after suffering injuries in 2011 and having to switch to an offense in 2012 that did not fit his strengths as a receiver, he could be looking at a bigger year in 2013 with the return of Malzahn. Getting Reed into space where he can show his athleticism will be a must for him to succeed, but Malzahn has proven that his offense is capable of that.
Bray is another receiver that will welcome the return of Malzahn. A very athletic receiver that has shown promise in his first two years at Auburn, but after an arrest last season many have been questioning his character off the field. If all that works out he should be an excellent slot receiver in 2013, and also could be a leading candidate to replace OnterioMcCalleb in this offense by getting the jet sweeps that McCalleb excelled at.
Ricardo Louis did not see a lot of playing time as a freshman in 2012, but when he did play he impressed with his athletic ability and aggressiveness. With an off-season in the weight room and coaching from Dameyune Craig and Malzahn, Louis could be looking at a nice career for Auburn.
Denson is a player that has seen little playing time since arriving at Auburn, but that could change in 2013. For players like Reed and Bray to succeed in Malzahn's offense you have to have great perimeter blocking from the receivers. With Denson's 6-foot-3 208-pound frame he could become an excellent perimeter blocker, which will help open up big plays for the offense.
With what Malzahn wants to accomplish, offensive depth at the receiver position is a must. So Malzahn went out and signed four receivers: Earnest Robinson, Tony Stevens, Dominic Walker, Marcus Davis and possibly another depending on what position Jason Smith plays.
Three of these signees are likely to earn playing time this fall. Stevens, Robinson and Smith.
Stevens was a late, but great pick up by the Tigers. He is a big, tall receiver that could be an excellent deep threat this fall.
Robinson is an in-state player that has the ability to make acrobatic catches and should earn significant playing time this fall.
"(He's) a wide receiver that's been committed to us a long time," said Malzahn at his signing day press conference. "I actually recruited him when he was a sophomore. I have a great relationship with him. I think the world of Earnest. He hung in there with us, too, during the change."
Smith is an interesting player because he has remained adamant that he will play quarterback when he arrives at Auburn.
"He just has phenomenal skills. He can do a lot of different things," said Malzahn. "We're very excited about Jason."
After earning MVP honors at the Alabama Mississippi All-Star Game playing receiver, he could be looking at early playing time at receiver instead of quarterback.
Though the starting receiver positions are not set in stone it will be a much better group.
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