Auburn’s offense is about as dynamic as it gets in college football. Powered by Gus Malzahn’s up tempo, no huddle spread offense, the Tigers currently average 42.3 points and 480 yards per game.

The running game is the anchor of Auburn’s offense, but it was the passing game that was expected to see a boost this season, thanks to the dynamic duo of Sammie Coates and Duke Williams. However, a nagging knee injury has slowed Coates and JUCO transfer Duke Williams has developed into one of Nick Marshall’s favorite targets this season.

So which player should be considered Auburn’s No. 1 wide receiver?

Auburn No. 1 WR

Players involved: Sammie Coates and Duke Williams

Last season, Auburn only attempted 285 passing attempts (No. 118 nationally), but there was no question as to who the No. 1 wide receiver was. Sammie Coates exploded for a breakout sophomore season, catching 42 passes for 902 yards and seven touchdowns. No other Auburn receiver had even 30 receptions and Coates had nearly three times as many receiving yards than Ricardo Louis, the next closest wideout. Coates became Auburn’s prominent deep threat.

Coming into the year, Coates was expected to reprise his role as Auburn’s No. 1 receiver, especially in an offense which Malzahn envisioned achieving more balance by throwing the ball more. The impact of Duke Williams transferring to Auburn was also expected to give Coates a little more relief and space to operate now that opposing defenses had two big time wide receivers to worry about instead of just one.

However, it hasn’t exactly played out like that in 2014. Auburn’s 98 pass attempts are second to last in the SEC and 116th nationally. Coates injured his knee in the season-opener and has failed to be at full speed since. So far this season, he’s hauled in just five catches for 56 yards and no touchdowns.

“Naturally, it’s frustraing when you work hard all offseason and you’re ready to have a big year,” Auburn offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee said about Coates. “And then right of the gates you kind of have a little bit of a hiccup. But his attitude has been great, he’s come to work hard, he’s done everything he can do to get on the field the last two weeks.”

Although Coates has been targeted multiple times in the offense, Nick Marshall’s favorite receiver from a year ago has been unable to make much of an impact, especially on the deep balls. His longest catch this season is just 13 yards, which came against Louisiana Tech last week. During his absence, Duke Williams, Auburn’s newest receiver has stepped up and received a majority of the looks from Marshall.

To give you an idea of his impact, Williams has 23 receptions on the season for 357 yards and three touchdowns. Similar to Coates last season, no other Auburn receiver is close to his numbers with the next highest receiver at eight receptions and 110 yards. Williams’ early-season performance has drawn eye-popping looks from onlookers and even incredibly high comparisons from his own coaches.

“Duke reminds me of Alshon [Jeffery],” Auburn defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson said earlier in the season. “You can be right there in great position and you can’t defend him.”

Johnson was the defensive coordinator at South Carolina when Jeferry was with the Gamecocks.

Although Auburn continues to put up points, it’s no secret the offense hasn’t been as smooth this season and Coates’ ineffectiveness is a big reason why. With these two dynamic receivers, it’s not a question of who will be on the field because they are both so talented. But rather it comes down to who Marshall will trust in those crucial moments once Coates is fully healthy again – his favorite receiver from 2013 or his new No. 1 target so far in 2014?

As for Coates, the Auburn coaches and players are anticipating his impact on the offense to be as great as ever once he’s back to 100 percent.

“Sammie is the returning leading receiver we have and the leader in that room,” Auburn receiver Melvin Ray told AuburnTigers.com. “He’s a deep threat, a guy that defenses have to worry about, and he just makes it better for the offense overall.”

“He’s really improved his all-around receiving skills and those intermediate routes we talk about,” Malzahn said about Coates. “He’s a big strong guy who can block a lot of different guys and he knows the offense. He’s a veteran guy who allows us to make adjustments during the game without a problem.”