The absence of All-SEC wide receiver Da'Rick Rogers, who is reportedly headed to Tennessee Tech after being indefinitely suspended last week, cost the Vols the top spot here.
Instead, Missouri takes the top honors. The Tigers have a tested top target in senior T.J. Moe, who has nearly 1,700 total receiving yards over the past two seasons.
There's also a lot of upside here for the Tigers. It starts with freshman Dorial Green-Beckham, a consensus five-star recruit the Tigers signed in February. At 6-foot-6 and 220 pounds, the elite freshman has a chance to have an impact similar to recent SEC great A.J. Green, Julio Jones and Alshon Jeffery.
Juniors Marcus Lucas (6-5, 220) and L'Damian Washington (6-4, 200) also give QB James Franklin a couple more big options who have made some big plays. Lucas caught 23 passes for 414 yards (18 yards per reception) in 2011, while Washington had 20 catches for 364 yards (18.2 yards per reception).
That big-play capability, combined with the steadiness of Moe and the potential of Green-Beckham, gives the Tigers the top unit in the conference.
Other contenders:
- Tennessee: The Vols will miss Rogers, but there's still some talent here. Junior Justin Hunter led the SEC in virtually every receiving category through two weeks in 2011 before he went down with a torn ACL in week three. He's back, and he's joined by Cordarrelle Patterson, the top junior-college recruit in 2012.
- Arkansas: Replacing Joe Adams, Greg Childs and Jarius Wright won't be easy. Senior Cobi Hamilton is a big-play threat and one of the top receivers in the league. Behind him, former backup QB Brandon Mitchell has moved over to WR. Juniors Julian Horton and Javontee Herndon will also need to emerge as go-to receivers.
- Texas A&M: Senior Ryan Swope gave up a chance to go pro to return for his senior season. He had a huge 2011 campaign with 89 receptions for 1,207 yards. Senior Uzoma Nwachukwu also had a productive year last year, totaling 50 receptions for 639 yards.
- Georgia: After failing to live up to the hype he generated in high school, senior Marlon Brown is expected to have a standout year. He will be a top target along with Tavarres King, Michael Bennett, Chris Conley and Rantavious Wooten. Malcolm Mitchell, last season's top target, is starting the season out at CB, but could play both ways.
For more up-to-the minute news and analysis from SEC bloggers Larry Hartstein and Daniel Lewis, follow @CBSSportsSEC.
