Wide Receivers/TEs

[StevensTechU]

So my question of the morning is - Could the Oregon pass-catchers this season be sneaky good?

Argument for: With the exit of Dillon Mitchell, there needs to be a ringer, and Oregon may have found that guy on the transfer market in Juwan Johnson. Juwan, all of 6'4, 240lbs, is a mismatch for any defender, and while Dillon Mitchell was good, he was far from irreplaceable. As I watched Clemson beat Alabama in the championship game, I thought to myself "These guys are GOOD and I don't even think D-Mitch would start on this team." Juwan is capable of filling the void.

What's perhaps more important is that the #2 and #3 positions are going to have much more competition. Toward the end of 2018, the fanbase was hopeful that Bryan Addison could step up based on what we'd read in practice reports. In 2019, there shouldn't be anything to hold him back, and Addison could emerge as an NFL-type receiver later in his career. In the slot, Jaylon Redd is another year older and another year wiser, and if that translates into holding onto the ball, he could be highly productive. And if he's not? Well, freshman Mycah Pittman would be happy to take reps.

Lastly, Oregon's tight ends should be the envy of most any team. McCormick comes back, Breeland is a downfield threat, and Spencer Webb is oozing with potential.

WR1: Juwan Johnson, Johnny Johnson
WR2: Bryan Addison, Brenden Schooler
WR3: Jaylon Redd, Mycah Pittman
TE: Cam McCormick, Jacob Breeland, Spencer Webb

Others who could emerge: JR Waters, Josh Delgado, Lance Wilhoite, JJ Tucker.

[duckfan22]

Nice job.... I believe that Addison was a handfull in spring before he got hurt.
Red zone offense could be really good. You put 6'4" Johnson on one side
and 6'5" Addison on the other side. You have the mismatch on both sides.

[wepto]

What are the odds that Addison and McCormick both play a full season?

[GrandpaDuck]

I wouldn't bet the farm on it but I suspect Schooler will start over Addison if for no other reason then Herbert needs at least one receiver he feels he really knows.

Also I contend Mitchell is the most under-rated Oregon receiver ever by the fan base. He was catching bullets with defenders draped all over him and set the single season record while largely being doubled; with little help from other receivers and in a system that just doesnt help people get open like an air raid, run & shoot or the chip kelly like spread. He also showed in the pro combine that he was a hell of a lot faster than most fans realized.

I do think the receivers will be much better this year and I am guessing the change in WR coaching will help.

[FlDuckFan]

I hope McCormick comes back strong and opens the underneath stuff . I've been a broken record but pushing the ball 8+ yds almost every passing play is not a good strategy. That being said I'd love to see Addison emerge as a contending receiver and either earn a starting spot or heavy rotation. Not much confidence in Redd, JJ3, & Schooler after last years repeated drops it's more of a prove it feel.

[OregonFan4Life]

I wouldn't bet the farm on it but I suspect Schooler will start over Addison if for no other reason then Herbert needs at least one receiver he feels he really knows.

Also I contend Mitchell is the most under-rated Oregon receiver ever by the fan base. He was catching bullets with defenders draped all over him and set the single season record while largely being doubled; with little help from other receivers and in a system that just doesnt help people get open like an air raid, run & shoot or the chip kelly like spread. He also showed in the pro combine that he was a hell of a lot faster than most fans realized.

I do think the receivers will be much better this year and I am guessing the change in WR coaching will help.

This. Mitchell will have a solid NFL career, I do agree the WR's will be better as there is just more talent/depth and it sounds like the new WR coach is an improvement. But no doubt Mitchell was a great WR, probably some sour grapes he left early. Without Mitchell last year we probably would've lost the Washington game last year.

[StevensTechU]

This. Mitchell will have a solid NFL career, I do agree the WR's will be better as there is just more talent/depth and it sounds like the new WR coach is an improvement. But no doubt Mitchell was a great WR, probably some sour grapes he left early. Without Mitchell last year we probably would've lost the Washington game last year.

Just in case the 'sour grapes' comment is a response to my saying he's replaceable and that he wouldn't start on Clemson, those were my thoughts as I watched, not as I stewed over his departure.

Mitchell was head and shoulders above all other WRs on the roster this year, and saved Oregon's tail in multiple games. Overall, I put his ability in his last year in the same realm as Bralon Addison (who had to share catches with other quality receivers) and Darren Carrington. Those guys were also fantastic players. But it's not sour grapes to say they're replaceable, it's just reality.

[OregonFan4Life]

This. Mitchell will have a solid NFL career, I do agree the WR's will be better as there is just more talent/depth and it sounds like the new WR coach is an improvement. But no doubt Mitchell was a great WR, probably some sour grapes he left early. Without Mitchell last year we probably would've lost the Washington game last year.

Just in case the 'sour grapes' comment is a response to my saying he's replaceable and that he wouldn't start on Clemson, those were my thoughts as I watched, not as I stewed over his departure.

Mitchell was head and shoulders above all other WRs on the roster this year, and saved Oregon's tail in multiple games. Overall, I put his ability in his last year in the same realm as Bralon Addison (who had to share catches with other quality receivers) and Darren Carrington. Those guys were also fantastic players. But it's not sour grapes to say they're replaceable, it's just reality.

I wasn't referring to you specifically, just seemed like some of the opinions of Oregon fans changed after he announced he was leaving early for the NFL. Like some fans thought he was great before he left, then as soon as he announced he wasn't that great and very replaceable. I agree he is replaceable, just think that perhaps some fans are quickly forgetting how good he was.

[UOducksTK1]

Not to be a downer, but WR group does not look great on paper. Unless a couple of the young guys step up, I'm expecting an average year from this group.

[Phalanx]

Not to be a downer, but WR group does not look great on paper. Unless a couple of the young guys step up, I'm expecting an average year from this group.

Seriously - the fact that Schooler and Johnson are still being mentioned at all, much less as starters, is a real bummer. I know it's hard for new receivers to hit the ground running, but I'm really hoping guys like Juwan Johnson, Addison, and Pittman can get it going so we don't have to watch them trot out last year's sub-par performers.

[JIDuck97]

Not to be a downer, but WR group does not look great on paper. Unless a couple of the young guys step up, I'm expecting an average year from this group.

Seriously - the fact that Schooler and Johnson are still being mentioned at all, much less as starters, is a real bummer. I know it's hard for new receivers to hit the ground running, but I'm really hoping guys like Juwan Johnson, Addison, and Pittman can get it going so we don't have to watch them trot out last year's sub-par performers.

I mean, Juwan can't help that his last name is Johnson.

[Jesseisabeast]

I rewatched our bowl against Sparty the other night and was shocked at how poorly Mitchell played. He flat out dropped a couple including an easy touchdown right in his hands and got called out by Brady Quinn for not battling hard enough for a couple other balls....and then he made a great adjustment and caught a touchdown which proved the game winner. He was obviously our best weapon but also got pouty late in the year and then left of course. What this team needs in my mind is to just develop another level of consistency and reliability. I’ve often said what made LMJ a great back was not his highlight tape but his ability to convert third and two 99 times in a row...It makes no difference if a receiver is tall or fast if he drops passes or doesn’t run the routes correctly. A tight end that misses blocks and drops a key third down pass is just not doing his job, period. So with a lot more talented options I expect the spots will be filled by the players that show the most consistency, the guys that catch the damn ball to move the sticks, and do it over and over...Pittman may not be 6-3 but I think he’s a straight up star in the making.

[maxduck]

I rewatched our bowl against Sparty the other night and was shocked at how poorly Mitchell played. He flat out dropped a couple including an easy touchdown right in his hands and got called out by Brady Quinn for not battling hard enough for a couple other balls....and then he made a great adjustment and caught a touchdown which proved the game winner. He was obviously our best weapon but also got pouty late in the year and then left of course. What this team needs in my mind is to just develop another level of consistency and reliability. I’ve often said what made LMJ a great back was not his highlight tape but his ability to convert third and two 99 times in a row...It makes no difference if a receiver is tall or fast if he drops passes or doesn’t run the routes correctly. A tight end that misses blocks and drops a key third down pass is just not doing his job, period. So with a lot more talented options I expect the spots will be filled by the players that show the most consistency, the guys that catch the damn ball to move the sticks, and do it over and over...Pittman may not be 6-3 but I think he’s a straight up star in the making.

From the practice report That said, Mycah Pittman already looks to be in the running as the Ducks' most reliable receiver. He gets separation and catches the ball, over and over and over. …

[lukeyrid13]

Pittman just screams a dude who will get you 7 catches for 70 yards every game. Great hands, good route runner and not afraid of contact. I think he will catch a ton of passes over the next 3-4 years.

[jimmy12]

I think the influence and impact of the new WR coach will be MASSIVE. He is an actual receivers coach and not a converted headcoach. While i think Johnson was a seemingly good guy, this group of talent needs a specialist. Someone who can teach blocking schemes, route running, concentration and separation. I have heard from several “insiders” that Bouknight is all the above. That has me excited.