[msqueri]

Stilwell and Donavon were defensive ends.

Goose... the recent “possession” WR’s have had trouble getting open. No great route runners.

This is true to a large degree, but one of the main reasons for this IMHO is that they are playing against a defense that knows it doesn't have to cover the deep throw. That means at least one more defender (and probably two more) pretty close to the LOS. This cuts down the space to get open by a lot. If the defense also doesn't have to worry about anybody getting "behind" them (because they can run down any "leaks") they can also play everybody pretty tight. You can't run a great route if there is always somebody in the way.

I understand all the points about not being able to stretch the defense and do think we lack speed that really strains opposing defenses. Maybe Farrell can give us a little bit of that look, although I'd expect 2023 to be the year he really gets a chance since we have other receivers who will surely soak up most snaps in 2022 pending health.

But it does bear mentioning that it's possible to stretch the defense without a prototypical burner. Tremayne led the Pac-12 in 30+ yard catches in 2020 and was third in 40+ yard catches. Yurosek had two 40+ catches last year and Higgins and Farrell each had one. I wouldn't give up on big plays this year, although it would be preferable to have a starting receiver with Owusu/Rector/Fehoko kind of speed.

Among the pipeline guys we haven't yet seen, Ayomanor is the guy to keep an eye on, but he's done absolutely nothing as a football player. A complete size/athleticism flyer at this point.

[msqueri]

Stilwell and Donavon were defensive ends.

Goose... the recent “possession” WR’s have had trouble getting open. No great route runners.

This is true to a large degree, but one of the main reasons for this IMHO is that they are playing against a defense that knows it doesn't have to cover the deep throw. That means at least one more defender (and probably two more) pretty close to the LOS. This cuts down the space to get open by a lot. If the defense also doesn't have to worry about anybody getting "behind" them (because they can run down any "leaks") they can also play everybody pretty tight. You can't run a great route if there is always somebody in the way.

I understand all the points about not being able to stretch the defense and do think we lack speed that really strains opposing defenses. Maybe Farrell can give us a little bit of that look, although I'd expect 2023 to be the year he really gets a chance since we have other receivers who will surely soak up most snaps in 2022 pending health.

But it does bear mentioning that it's possible to stretch the defense without a prototypical burner. Tremayne led the Pac-12 in 30+ yard catches in 2020 and was third in 40+ yard catches. Yurosek had two 40+ catches last year and Higgins and Farrell each had one. I wouldn't give up on big plays this year, although it would be preferable to have a starting receiver with Owusu/Rector/Fehoko kind of speed.

Among the pipeline guys we haven't yet seen, Ayomanor is the guy to keep an eye on, but he's done absolutely nothing as a football player. A complete size/athleticism flyer at this point.