One of the biggest questions regarding expected starting quarterback Jeremy Johnson in 2015 is to whom the rising junior will throw.

Seniors Quan Bray and C.J. Uzomah will leave, and junior Sammie Coates has already announced he’ll enter the NFL Draft. JUCO transfer Duke Williams is expected to join Coates and declare for the draft. That leaves Ricardo Louis, Melvin Ray and others looking to replace the production lost by the departures of its most talented receivers.

Johnson is a more accurate passer and has better mechanics than his predecessor Nick Marshall. However, the former Mr. Football in the state of Alabama has a tough act to follow.

The SEC’s top rushing offense was underrated in the passing game during 2014. The Tigers ranked third in the conference in passing efficiency, the metric head coach Gus Malzahn and offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee consider to be the most important measurement of success. Marshall’s strength, along with that of Bray, Coates and Williams, is downfield passing. Auburn ranked second in the SEC in yards per completion and first in yards per attempt.

Much of that firepower is leaving, however, and Auburn must find targets to replace the production. Of the 192 total receptions Auburn’s receiving corps registered, Bray, Coates and Williams combined to catch 109 passes. The three totaled 1,455 receiving yards, nearly half of Marshall’s passing yards during the 2014 season.

Five wideouts that saw action in 2014 return next season for Auburn, looking to create chemistry with Johnson and provide a spark in the Tigers’ passing game.

Louis, Ray, Marcus Davis, Stanton Truitt and Tony Stevens all return next season, the most established target being Louis. The five combined to catch 41 passes this season. Louis has written a legacy of big plays in big moments during the past two seasons, most notably being on the receiving end of the “Prayer at Jordan-Hare” against Georgia last season. Ray, Davis, Truitt and Stevens all have shown glimpses of potential this season, and with a full spring and fall working with Johnson, all four could become viable targets on the outside and in the slot.

Backup quarterback Jonathan Wallace has made the move to wideout during bowl preparations this week, AL.com reported. Malzahn and Lashlee will decide after the Tigers’ game against Wisconsin whether or not the move will be permanent. Malzahn told reporters this week Wallace is “really coming on” at wide receiver and could play there permanently as a senior.

The key, though is Williams. The junior hasn’t submitted a draft evaluation for the NFL. He hasn’t participated in bowl practices, and his status for the Outback Bowl is questionable. While Coates dealt with a nagging knee injury through the first half of the season, Williams cemented himself as Marshall’s favorite target in his first season on the Plains. He provided a threat opposite Coates for which defenses had to account. His decision of whether to stay or whether to go, will dictate much of what Malzahn and Lashlee do at the receiver position this offseason and heading into 2015.

While pundits expect a more pass-focused offense from Malzahn next season with Johnson under center, that can only occur if he has targets to throw to.

And with the amount of production leaving, right now, there are more questions than answers for Auburn at wide receiver.