Last year, at least when the receivers were healthy, Missouri had plenty of offensive options.

The order went something like this: Marcus Murphy/Russell Hansbrough, Bud Sasser, Jimmie Hunt, Maty Mauk (scramble), Darius White and Sean Culkin.

Four of those players have departed as seniors in ’14. So what now?

That’s the huge question that Missouri’s offense still needs to determine entering fall practice in two months.

Mauk remains the quarterback. Evan Boehm and Connor McGovern act as the linchpins of the offensive line. Hansbrough is a threat to run for 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons. Then … what?

There are several options, most of which remain unsteady. Here they are, in no particular order:

  • The second running back. Ish Witter seems like a placeholder here, as the team waits to see if Morgan Steward’s hip will recover and whether JUCO transfer Chase Abbington will adjust quickly. But, in part due to the skill set of the offensive line and in part due to the team’s recent history, another back other than Hansbrough will get plenty of touches. More likely it will be two other backs.
  • Mauk scrambling. OK, so the team is trying to rid the rising junior of bad habits, the biggest of which is flushing himself out of the pocket prematurely. But after he rushed for 5.6 yards in a few starts as a freshman, I figured he’d gain more than 373 yards on the ground in his first year as the full-time starter. If the receivers have trouble getting open or struggle with inconsistency, the team could move the ball by having Mauk run North and South more often.
  • Slot receiver Nate Brown. At 6-foot-3, a former four-star recruit, Brown is the most physically imposing receiver on the roster. But he’s an inexperienced sophomore who missed most of spring practice due to injury. Will he and Mauk have enough of a connection to make him the No. 2 option within the offense? And will the Tigers leave him in the slot?
  • Outside receivers J’Mon Moore/Wesley Leftwich. The former also is 6-foot-3, but has struggled with inconsistency. The latter is fast, but hasn’t shown much in terms of production or the ability to climb the pecking order since he enrolled early in 2011. He’s only in the starting lineup by default. These are the two outside receivers for now, and there’s at least a chance one of them becomes the No. 2 option in the offense.
  • Thor Sean Culkin. The 6-foot-6, 245-pound tight end looks like he ought to be able to dominate all sorts of SEC safeties and linebackers. But he and Mauk appeared disjointed at times last season. At other times, Culkin’s hands seemed suspect. I’m not so sure he’s a bigger threat in the passing game than Jason Reese, his backup at the position. But he’s the leading receiver judging by catches and yards. He also managed one receiving touchdown last year — the only player on the roster who can say that.
  • A surprise receiver. The other wideouts on the roster are long shots to be the No. 2 option, but it’s not like there’s a huge, insurmountable obstacle in anyone’s way if someone develops in a hurry. Perhaps Raymond Wingo, a converted cornerback with an argument as the team’s fastest player, will become a dynamic option. Or DeSean Blair, Keyon Dilosa or Richaud Floyd could develop. There should be opportunities for someone to step into a larger role.
  • Harold Brantley. OK, so Mizzou needs Brantley to grow into the alpha role on the defensive line. He could contend for an All-SEC selection if things break right. But is there anyone else on the roster with these kinds of moves? He’s put on some weight since then, but as a reminder, Brantley did play some running back in high school.

In all likelihood, there won’t be a blanket second option within Missouri’s offense this season. Instead, I expect something more akin to 2a-2f. Offensive coordinator Josh Henson should share the load and spread around the touches after Hansbrough.

Or perhaps it will resolve itself when we figure out which pass-catcher has the best connection with Mauk.

Who do you think the Tigers’ second offensive option should be in 2015?