Kyle Bonagura, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Position that needs improvement: Oregon State

Oregon State missed out on the postseason despite finishing the year with the No. 4 ranked total defense in the Pac-12, an improved running game and a quarterback likely to be among the first five drafted at the position.

Position to improve: receivers

Why it was a problem: Replacing Biletnikoff Award winner Brandin Cooks never figured to be easy, but his early departure for the NFL left record-setting quarterback Sean Mannion with few reliable threats in his final season. It certainly didn't help when Richard Mullaney, the team's second-leading receiver in 2013, was lost for the season with an elbow injury in the sixth game of the year. His absence left Oregon State with a pair of freshmen (Hunter Jarmon and Jordan Villamin) and a sophomore (Victor Bolden) to serve as Mannion's primary options next to tight end Connor Hamlett. Those four players combined for just 11 touchdown receptions as Mannion's touchdown total fell from 37 to 15.

How it can be fixed: Getting Mullaney back is a good start, and considering how young the group was there should be a realistic expectation for significant improvement during the natural maturation process. Considering the Beavers don't have any known receiver commitments (as of Tuesday), that will have to be enough. With a new staff in place under coach Gary Andersen, the receivers will benefit from a holdover in position coach Brent Brennan, who is well-liked.

Early 2015 outlook: Datrin Guyton, a three-star receiver from Texas who signed with the Beavers last year, redshirted last season and will provide a 6-foot-5 target for whoever ends up replacing Mannion. It's still hard to imagine the Beavers will be that much better — if at all -- without Mannion and no major additions. Although, Andersen brought in former Colorado State offensive coordinator Dave Baldwin to run the offense a year after he guided the Rams to 321.6 passing yards per game, which ranked eighth in the country. Receiver Rashard Higgins had 96 catches for 1,750 yards under Baldwin's tutelage.

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