Edward Aschoff, ESPN Staff Writer 7y

Florida's biggest strength: Pass-catchers

This week, we're taking a team-by-team look at the biggest strength for each team in the SEC. Next up are the Florida Gators.

Position: Wide Receiver

Key loss: Ahmad Fulwood

Key returnees: Antonio Callaway, DeAndre Goolsby, Brandon Powell, C'yontai Lewis, Tyrie Cleveland

Key newcomers: Kemore Gamble, Daquon Green

Breakdown: This might seem surprising when you consider how much Florida's passing game struggled last season, but hear me out. The Gators actually have a solid core of pass-catchers; they just need a quarterback to get those guys the ball more.

You start with Callaway, who has been one of the SEC's top receivers over the last two years. He fell off a little in Year 2 compared to his freshman season, but with a full spring to work with in 2017, many believe he's in for his best season. Callaway caught 54 passes for 721 yards (both team highs) and three touchdowns. He is Florida's top deep threat and can be used in the backfield and slot to create mismatches for opposing defenses.

We thought Florida would use its tight ends more in 2016, but neither Goolsby nor Lewis became the consistent target the Gators wanted. Quarterback play had a lot to do with that, but make no mistake about it, Goolsby and Lewis are key pass-catchers for the Gators. Goolsby has that mismatch ability with his speed and size. In that H-back frame, Goolsby, who caught 38 passes for just 342 yards and three touchdowns last year, can stretch slower linebackers and body safeties with his 6-foot-4, 244-pound frame. Lewis isn't as fleet-footed as Goolsby, but the 6-foot-4, 231-pounder is another tough guy to cover in the open field.

Most completely forgot about Powell in 2015, but he was second on the team with 45 catches (career-high) for 387 yards. However, it's that last number that isn't impressive. Powell is a guy the Gators want to line up all over the field. He can play outside, inside and in the backfield. He's a jack-of-all-trades, but for some reason, he wasn't used like it last year.

As for some of the young pups, Cleveland really came on after dealing with an early suspension and a hamstring issue. He proved to be one of the team's top deep threats (remember that 98-yard touchdown against LSU?) and should take a couple of big steps in Year 2 after catching just 14 passes in 2016.

Coaches are also excited about redshirt freshman Rick Wells, who they think can be a real playmaker in this offense, while sophomores-to-be Freddie Swain and Josh Hammond (who combined for 22 catches and 295 yards) should have much bigger roles in the offense this fall.

And if rising senior C.J. Worton, who missed all of last season with an injury, can get back on the field, the Gators should have another solid outside receiver for their new quarterback in 2016.

The receivers and tight ends have talent, but they need much better quarterback play in order to show their true potential. If either Feleipe Franks or Kyle Trask can turn into a more consistent player than their predecessors, we might really get to see that Florida really does have the receiving talent it's been desperate for for years.

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