Alabama Football: The 2021 battle for WR2 in Tuscaloosa

Alabama football fans know who WR1 is. Who will play behind them?

In the past, Alabama relied on one receiver to dominate while others played smaller roles behind him. Julio Jones led to Amari Cooper, and Calvin Ridley was shortly after him. At this point, it’s an Alabama football tradition.

However, they have turned to a stable in recent years. In 2018 and 2019, Alabama had four first-round receivers on the roster. In 2020, they still had two, and one of them won the Heisman Trophy.

Due to this top-heavy depth chart, few players have seen targets outside of these names. With Smith and Waddle heading to the NFL, there is a major gap in the box score for someone to take over.

Clearly, John Metchie will be WR1. However, who will be next in terms of targets and yardage?

If you look at experience, Slade Bolden is the clear WR2. He started in the slot after Waddle went down, and he caught his first touchdown reception in the National Championship against Ohio State. However, it’s not as simple as that.

Last season, Alabama football had a young core of receivers who never got a chance. Any of them could explode next year. Javon Baker and Thaiu Jones-Bell are on that list. Both have all sorts of potential, and they will get their shot in 2021.

Alabama also has a great recruiting class coming in. While freshmen rarely get major roles in the offense, they have contributed heavily in previous years. After all, DeVonta Smith caught the game-winning touchdown as a true freshman. Jacorey Brooks, Agiye Hall, Christian Leary and JoJo Earle will all be given a shot.

However, this conversation has to include a tight end. Jahleel Billingsley could easily be second on the team in receptions. His role increased as Alabama football’s season progressed, and he will continue to see reps with Miller Forristall now in the NFL Draft.

So, who will be WR2? At the beginning of the year, expect Slade Bolden to see those targets. However, it could easily become Javon Baker by the end of the regular season. Bryce Young has chemistry with the sophomore receivers due to their time together with the second unit in 2020. By the postseason, it wouldn’t shock me if JoJo Earle added himself to the mix thanks to his absurd speed.