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It’s simply stating the obvious to point out how Robert Foster’s injury is a serious blow to Alabama, which was already struggling somewhat to establish a passing game, particularly throwing the ball downfield.
Foster, who had 10 catches for 116 yards and two touchdowns before likely being lost for the year, the Crimson Tide is looking for pass-catchers to step up and help take some of the offensive burden off quarterbacks Jake Coker and Cooper Bateman. That also applies to running back Derrick Henry, who has been carrying the ball and much of the load for the Bama offense so far this season with 54 carries for 370 yards through three games. Here’s a look at the most likely candidates to step up as a dynamic pass-catcher in Foster’s absence.
1. ArDarius Stewart — Stewart has been a great possession receiver so far this season, leading the Tide in receptions with 18, but he’s averaging just 7.7 yards per catch and hasn’t had a reception longer than 20 yards yet this season. But the sophomore showed some ability to get open downfield in limited playing time last season. As he gets more comfortable with the quarterbacks and an expanded role, perhaps he’ll be involved in more big plays.
2. O.J. Howard — The junior tight end has arguably been the best reciever on the team so far this season. At 6-6, 242 pounds, he has size that’s tough to defend for a defensive back, but his speed and route-running ability make him a mismatch for linebackers. So far, he has 11 catches and leads all receivers and tight ends in both total receiving yardage (175) and yards per catch (15.9). His 42-yard reception is the longest passing play for Alabama this season that was actually thrown past the line of scrimmage.
3. Kenyan Drake — Which brings us to the senior running back. Drake is a great receiving back and maybe the most potent big-play threat on the roster. Alabama’s longest pass play of the season was a 69-yard shovel pass to Drake, so don’t be surprised if offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin is working on ways to get Drake even further involved in the passing game. He might not solve the issue of going over the top, but in catch-and-run situations there isn’t anybody better.
4. Richard Mullaney — The graduate transfer from Oregon State is getting better each week and had his best game in the loss to Ole Miss, making seven catches for 61 yards and two touchdowns. Mullaney seems to be developing a rhythm and connection with Coker, and while he might never be a big-play guy for the Tide, he might rack up some big numbers as the season goes along.
5. Calvin Ridley — Ridley is making a solid contribution for a true freshman, but it’s looking like it may be a year or two before the preseason comparisons to Amari Cooper begin to come to fruition. Ridley has 13 catches for 87 yards and has had trouble getting open downfield. He’ll surely continue to develop as the season goes along, but asking him to be a premier receiver on this team might be too much too soon.
6. Derrick Henry — Henry is certainly capable of helping in the passing game, but he’s also carrying a big workload in the running game. With seven catches for 51 yards so far this season, he’ll continue to be an occasional target just to keep defenses off balance, but Henry’s job in this offense is to carry the ball.
X-Factor: Chris Black — Black has been noticeably absent from the Tide passing game so far. He’s catchless after coming into the season as the leading returning receiver on the roster. Black certainly has the talent to break out at some point this season, but he’s yet to show what he can do through three games.
Shane Mettlen is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers Texas A&M, Missouri and Alabama.
