Power ranking the SEC's WRs after Week 7
If you like big passing plays, Saturday’s Ole Miss-Texas A&M game should be a treat. It features four receivers in this week’s top-10 and the Rebels and Aggies can each make a case for best receiving corps in the conference.
Based on what they’ve done from the openers to now, here’s a glance at how we would rank the SEC’s top WRs:
10. Quincy Adeboyejo, Ole Miss – Adeboyejo got off to a slow start in October (2 catches for 31 yards against Florida), but he has bounced back nicely since then with 148 yards on eight receptions in his past two games. In the Rebels’ pass-heavy offense, even the No. 2 target is a top-10 SEC receiver.
Last game: 2 catches, 94 yards
2015 season: 20 catches, 403 yards, 6 TD
9. Malachi Dupre, LSU – LSU QB Brandon Harris has thrown back-to-back 200-yard games, and that’s good news for the Tigers receivers. Dupre made only four catches against Florida, but they were big ones. He finished with 115 yards and two touchdowns.
Last game: 4 catches, 115 yards, 2 TD
2015 season: 18 catches, 311 yards, 4 TD
8. Malcolm Mitchell, Georgia – Mitchell is the top target in an inconsistent offense. The Bulldogs scored 31 points in a loss to Tennessee, but only nine points the next week in a win over Missouri.
Last game: 7 catches, 49 yards
2015 season: 35 catches, 505 yards, 4 TD
7. Josh Reynolds, Texas A&M – Another No. 2 target in a high-powered offense, Reynolds’ games will vary more than a WR1. Aggies QB Kyle Allen had a rough outing against Alabama, and that hurt Reynolds.
Last game: 3 catches, 56 yards
2015 season: 21 catches, 439 yards, 3 TD
6. Ricardo Louis, Auburn – In the absence of dismissed WR Duke Williams, Louis has become Auburn’s top receiver. The Tigers’ quarterback position has been an area of uncertainty this season, but Louis will be the go-to man regardless of which signal-caller gets the nod.
Last game: 7 catches, 154 yards,
2015 season: 26 catches, 347 yards, TD
5. Calvin Ridley, Alabama – Even as a freshman, Ridley is establishing himself as one of the conference’s best receivers. Alabama QB Jake Coker is going to take what the defense gives him, so Ridley’s numbers will likely depend on matchups.
Last game: 7 catches, 52 yards
2015 season: 38 catches, 437 yards, 3 TD
4. Garrett Johnson, Kentucky – Former Florida coach Will Muschamp might have been a little hard on himself when saying he is a “dumbass” for not offering Johnson a scholarship to UF, but there’s no denying the Gators sure wish they had Johnson right now. When UK QB Patrick Towles is on, Johnson can put up numbers with the best of them. He torched Muschamp’s Auburn defense Thursday night.
Last game: 9 catches, 160 yards
2015 season: 28 catches, 438 yards, TD
3. Christian Kirk, Texas A&M – Triple digits have eluded Kirk in two October contests, but the Aggies’ top target is still one of only two receivers passed the 600-yard mark on the season. Allen will continue to look to Kirk to move the A&M offense down the field.
Last game: 7 catches, 90 yards
2015 season: 39 receptions, 609 yards, 4 TD
2. Laquon Treadwell, Ole Miss – As the conference yardage leader, it’s hard to not put Treadwell in the top spot, but he might snag it soon. With back-to-back games in excess of 100 yards, the Rebels’ top wideout has definitely made the case that his pedestrian performance against Florida (5 catches, 42 yards) will be a statistical outlier for the 2015 season.
Last game: 14 catches, 144 yards, TD
2015 season: 49 catches, 654 yards, 4 TD
1. Pharoh Cooper, South Carolina – With three straight 100-yard games, Cooper has earned the top spot. The easiest way for Shawn Elliott to look like a smart coach is to find ways to get the ball into Cooper’s hands as much as possible.
Last game: 7 catches, 160 yards, TD
2015 season: 40 catches, 587 yards, 4 TD