Auburn finally gave Nick Marshall weapons outside, and it paid off for the passing game in 2014.

Juniors Sammie Coates and Duke Williams served as Marshall’s favorite targets throughout the season, though both had to fight through injuries.

Williams made an immediate impact upon his arrival on the Auburn campus, catching 45 passes for 730 yards and five touchdowns. Coates, the Tigers’ most explosive receiver a year ago was hampered by a left knee injury most of the year, catching 30 passes for 717 yards and four touchdowns.

The duo combined for roughly 52 percent of Auburn’s receiving production, but the two must decide whether they want to return to the Plains for their senior seasons or enter the NFL Draft.

As difficult a decision as it likely will be for both Coates and Williams, the uncertainty is sure to have Tigers fans watching their every move in Auburn’s bowl game, should it best their last.

“I think both will be coveted because they’re high-ceiling players, they’re guys that have traits you want at the next level,” CBSSports.com senior draft analyst Dane Brugler told the Opelika-Auburn news on Saturday. “They have the qualities that can’t be taught, when you’re talking about the arm length, when you’re talking about the hand size, the body of work, the speed, the agility.”

While both players are projected as late-first to mid-second round picks, both Coates and Williams have areas upon which they can improve. Williams’ health is a concern; the JUCO transfer suffered a medial collateral ligament sprain in the loss to Texas A&M in early November. Williams returned for the season-finale against Alabama, but wasn’t 100 percent.

Coates has issues with drops, in addition to needing to improve his route-running.

Draft eligible underclassmen have until Jan. 15 to declare for the NFL Draft. Teams submit up to five names to the Draft Advisory Board, and it figures both Coates and Williams will make the cut for the Tigers.

Neither Coates or Williams have made known their intentions, and while both players have been projected as early round picks, both are in a gamble-on-yourself situation.

Either they bet on themselves, their upside and enter the draft, or they return to Auburn in hopes to improve their stock even further while staying healthy.

“I don’t think there’s any question [they] could use another year of development at the college level,” Bruglar said. “Most underclassmen can use that extra year.”

This year’s class of wide receivers, while not as good as last year, is still strong. Twelve receivers were selected in the top two rounds of the 2014 NFL Draft including Clemson’s Sammy Watkins, Texas A&M’s Mike Evans and LSU’s Odell Beckham, Jr.

Williams is better at the catch-point, showing his ability to pluck balls out of the air this season for Auburn, in addition to his ability to shield defenders using his body and making strong cuts at the top of routes.

Despite both players dealing with injuries throughout the season, Coates and Williams showed signs of their strength and explosiveness.

Still, Bruglar believes Coates projects as the better NFL prospect, with his 6-foot-2 frame and sub-4.4 40-yard dash speed.

Could Coates and Williams return to what will likely be a more pass-heavy offense featuring Jeremy Johnson?

Possibly, as the decision will likely weigh heavily on both players, without the guarantee of being a top pick.

Auburn hasn’t had two receivers this good simultaneously in the last decade, so if the Outback Bowl on New Year’s Day is Coates’ and Williams’ final game suiting up for the Tigers, both fans and Coates and Williams better relish it.