How much of an impact will Keon Hatcher have in 2016?

[HogMantheIntruder]

So Keon was the guy, before last season, that most of us thought would be our best option at receiver, aside from maybe Reed. I felt the same way, largely based on the improvement he had made throughout the previous season. Of course, we all know what happened, but I don't think any of us expected that without Keon, we were going to have one of the most efficient passing attacks and one of the best groups of WR's in the country. The emergence of Drew Morgan, Jared Cornelius, Cody Hollister, and Dominique Reed was a thing of beauty to watch.

We are entering 2016 in a unique position for Arkansas (sans the CBP era); we are loaded at WR, and to get significant PT I think he will have to be consistent and elite. The expectation has changed drastically since Keon last played. Dropped passes are no longer acceptable. How good is he compared to what we now know we have?

[31to6]

How good is he compared to what we now know we have?

He was a dependable and QB-friendly target in 2015, esp on 3rd down.

He is not the most dynamic playmaker with the ball in his hands which limits his big play potential, however.

It really all depends on who earns reps in practice and who best gets in sync with AA.

I expect him to be a leader and get ~500-650 yards, 5-6 TDs.

[factchecker]

Bonus clip from Texas Bowl:

[longpig]

Be no surprise if Hatcher and Morgan struggle to lock down starting roles.

[HogMantheIntruder]

Bonus clip from Texas Bowl:

Ya, so I'm gonna need you to go ahead and respond EVERY TIME I start a thread. That was friggin' awesome!

[Hogarusa]

I expect him to be the leading WR in targets and yards

[Bacons Rebellion]

Hatcher was the best blocker on the team in 2014. A lot of people will feel his impact.

[jdelo77]

Hatcher, Morgan and Reed will get their reps , Sprinkle will as well ...I also look for Cornelius to take a few punts to the house this year ...

[The NewEra]

IMO, Morgan is THE stud receiver on this team.  I'll take a guy who shows up in a big way on game day any day over someone who sets the world on fire on paper.  Morgan was one of the best in the SEC last year while playing with a bum shoulder half of the year. 

[PonderinHog]

IMO, Morgan is THE stud receiver on this team.  I'll take a guy who shows up in a big way on game day any day over someone who sets the world on fire on paper.  Morgan was one of the best in the SEC last year while playing with a bum shoulder half of the year.

IMO, Reed opened it up for everybody and I hope he picks up where he left off.

[bphi11ips]

Keon Hatcher would be on a NFL roster had he not broken his foot in a strong performance against Toledo.  We're fortunate to have him back.  Hope he stays healthy. 

[hogfan14]

Hatcher was the best blocker on the team in 2014. A lot of people will feel his impact.

This is an underrated part of why he'll probably play more than any other WR

[Dwight_K_Shrute]

IMO, Reed opened it up for everybody and I hope he picks up where he left off.

Yep, the deep threat/burner was the missing piece, opened it up for everybody.  Just the perceived threat is enough to keep D's honest.  Also don't discount the fact that the TE/WR's have had their position coaches in place the longest.  That has to help with continuity and chemistry. 

[Hogs run wild]

i'm curious to see who the starting WRs will be on game day. we've got weapons at this position!

[HogPharmer]

Big question is will we have a QB who can hit these receivers with the big SEC defensive lines standing in front of them?

[PonderinHog]

Big question is will we have a QB who can hit these receivers with the big SEC defensive lines standing in front of them?

Yes.

And a bigger question is will our offensive line give him enough protection/time to get the receivers the ball.

[HogPharmer]

Yes.

And a bigger question is will our offensive line give him enough protection/time to get the receivers the ball.

I sure hope so. I know our QBs have the talent to produce. I'm just a little worried about the steep learning curve coming their way. Hopefully we'll be alright.

[Cinco de Hogo]

If you think about all the different types of WR's and TE's that you need to be unstoppable, we have them.  I wouldn't sell a single one of them short.  That the sexy part of our team right now.

As mentioned, QB and O-line have to come through in a big way or it will just be another year of broken dreams and wait til next years.

[PonderinHog]

If you think about all the different types of WR's and TE's that you need to be unstoppable, we have them.  I wouldn't sell a single one of them short.  That the sexy part of our team right now.

As mentioned, QB and O-line have to come through in a big way or it will just be another year of broken dreams and wait til next years.

I hope Austin gets them all something nice for Christmas.

[Corkscrew Johnson]

Be no surprise if Hatcher and Morgan struggle to lock down starting roles.

This is no joke.  Reed has elite speed to open things up, and Cornelius is our most complete WR.  Great to have 4 legit receivers on the squad. 

[PonderinHog]

After what Morgan accomplished last season?

If indeed that's the case then I can't wait to see the level of play from the guy that beats him out.

I love these kinds of problems!   :razorback:

[longpig]

I love these kinds of problems!   :razorback:

That's what I'm thinking, 6 or 7 playmakers coming from all over will be tough to scheme against, especially when you've only had 2 or 3 to worry about in all previous games.

[longpig]

Hatcher, Morgan and Reed will get their reps , Sprinkle will as well ...I also look for Cornelius to take a few punts to the house this year ...

And then there's Pettway and Hollister to create mismatches.  Our passing game could be drastically different one week from anything previously displayed.  That's a royal pita for a DC.
.

[HogMantheIntruder]

I love these kinds of problems!   :razorback:

[Oklahawg]

Hatcher is the best blocking WR on the roster. Hard to not have him on the field.

As mentioned above, he would be on an NFL roster right now if not for an injury.

[TheRazorback500]

And, we haven't even mentioned Hollister, who opened some eyes in the spring.

:razorback:

[bennyl08]

A big impact. By far our best blocking WR. Our third most athletic receiver among the older group, behind Reed and Cornelius. One of, if not the best route runner with the biggest competition there from Morgan and dependent on how guys like Reed have progressed.

I think Reed and Hatcher will be the primary two guys. Players you can depend on to do it all. To use some big name guys as a comparison, Reed would be our version of Randy Moss. Hatcher is our Anquan Boldin. Morgan is our Danny Amendola. Cornelius is our Joe Adams (can't think of a big name nfl guy who plays with that style at the moment). Hollister could be our Plaxico Burress. Pettway I'd say is in a similar mold to Amari Cooper, Stewart is in that same Cornelius/Joe Adams mold that I'm drawing an NFL blank for and Jordan Jones I think will be a similar mold to a Julio or an Antonio Brown.

By saying somebody is in a similar mold, not projecting the same magnitude of success, so much as similar playing styles and using names that many will be familiar with.