UCLA Football: Projecting the depth chart – Wide receivers and tight ends

Go Joe Bruin continues our look at potential depth charts for the UCLA Football team in 2017 as we examine the receivers and tight ends.

Go Joe Bruin continues to project the potential depth charts for the UCLA Football team and today we look at the wide receivers and tight ends that have a group of familiar faces looking to make a larger impact this season.

RELATED: UCLA Football Projected Depth Charts – Quarterbacks, Running Backs

The Bruins have a lot of talent in these groups which will work under their third offensive coordinator in three years. So who will be the ones to stand out?

X Receiver Depth Chart

1. Jordan Lasley, #2, R-Jr., 6’1″, 205 lbs
2. Theo Howard, #14, So., 6’0″, 180 lbs.
3. Dymond Lee, #9, R-Fr., 6’2″, 190 lbs.
4. Christian Pabico, #27, R-Jr., 6’0″, 190 lbs.
5. Ethan Fernea, #39, So., 5’11”, 185 lbs.
6. Trae Smith, #11, R-Jr., 6’2″, 195 lbs.

Jordan Lasley cemented himself as one of Josh Rosen‘s go-to targets in 2016, leading all receivers with five touchdowns. Lasley’s reliability has him sitting atop the X receiver depth chart. There, he will look to build upon the 620 yards he amassed through the air last season. Lasley has incredible footwork, allowing him to run precise routes and allude defenders. He is hard to tackle due to his strength, which allowed him to pick up yards after the catch on multiple occasions last year.

Theo Howard is a young receiver, who will look to make a big leap in his collegiate career. Howard is a speedy receiver, who will make defenders pay if they are caught looking in the backfield. This, paired with precise route running gives Howard the potential for a breakout season, and allows him to sneak into the second spot on the depth chart.

Dymon Lee redshirted his freshman year, and didn’t see the field as a result. Lee stands at 6’2″ and can hurt defenders down the field using his tremendous agility. However, he can also make difficult receptions in the middle of the field. There, Lee can take advantage of slower linebackers to create more yards and move the chains.

Christian Pabico creates separation from defenders with incredible footwork and route running. He will spend a majority of his time on the scout team.

Ethan Fernea has excellent hands, making him a reliable wide receiver. After the catch, he is shifty, allowing him to avoid oncoming tacklers. He will provide excellent depth as both a receiver and defensive back, a position he played in high school.

Trae Smith is a converted quarterback, who recently transferred from Santa Monica College. When forced to run, Smith used his strength to barrel through defenders down the middle. He will be on the scout team, but his height and strength makes him a receiver who can pick up tough yards.

Z Receiver Depth Chart

1. Eldridge Massington, # 82, R-Sr., 6’2″, 212 lbs.
2. Alex Van Dyke, #83, Sr., 6’4″, 225 lbs.
3. Audie Omotosho, #11, R-Fr., 6’2″, 200 lbs.
4. Brad Sochowski, #29, R-Jr., 5’10”, 195 lbs.
5. Xan Cuevas, #27, R-Jr., 5’11”, 215 lbs.

Eldridge Massington’s strength is the perfect compliment to Jordan Lasley’s speed. As such, Massington finds himself as the Bruins’ number one Z receiver. Massington is surprisingly quick, allowing him to get down field faster than most cornerbacks are prepared for. However, he does most of his damage catching passes in the middle of the field. Massinton’s 14 yards per receptions last season demonstrates just how good he is at picking up first downs. Rosen will look to Massington early and often to help move the ball down the field.

Alex Van Dyke is a wide receiver in a tight ends body. He can bully defenders when jockeying for position on a pass. After the catch, Van Dyke is incredibly difficult to bring down due to his size. However, cornerbacks looking to jam him at the line will be punished by Van Dyke’s unexpected speed.

Audie Omotosho is one of UCLA’s most sure-handed receivers. He has a knack for making catches with defenders draped over him. Omotosho’s best bet to receive playing time will be in redzone and goal line packages.

Brad Sochowksi is a precise route runner who is unafraid to make catches in the middle of the field and take big hits. He will be a scout team player, but if he takes the field, Sochowski will be a reliable target to pick up tough yards.

Xan Cuevas is a converted high school quarterback, who, when pressed to run, had a knack for making tacklers miss with his shifty feet. He will provide depth on the scout team.

Slot Receiver Depth Chart

1. Darren Andrews, #7, R-Sr., 5’10”, 195 lbs.
2. Stephen Johnson III, #6, R-So., 5’11”, 195 lbs.
3. Damian Alloway, #24, R-Fr., 5’9″, 175 lbs.
4. Demetric Felton, #10, R-Fr., 5’10”, 185 lbs.
5. Will McClure, #31, R-Jr., 5’8″, 185 lbs.
6. Alvoid Bennett, #26, R-Fr., 5’8″, 165 lbs.

Darren Andrews is an incredibly versatile athlete who can line up as a running back or wide receiver. Due to his size, the slot receiver position is the perfect place for his talents. His agility creates an automatic mismatch against the linebackers and safeties Andrews will face in the slot. In 2016, he led all UCLA receivers with 709 yards. This year, Rosen will definitely look to Andrews early and often. Expect his receiving numbers to rise.

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Stephen Johnson is a converted high school quarterback, who also excels in returning kicks. His fast feet make tacklers miss, and his speed makes him almost uncatchable in the open field. These traits lend themselves well to a slot receiver, where Johnson will be tasked with catching the ball in traffic and picking up yards with little space.

Damian Alloway is great on screen passes. He is shifty, and has an arsenal of moves to make would-be tacklers miss. When he gets to the secondary, his speed is hard to match. He has the potential to climb the slot receiver depth chart, but his route running needs to improve. However, Alloway adds versatility to the offense with an ability to line up as a running back.

Demetric Felton is a hyper athletic player, who has spent time at wide receiver, running back, defensive back, and kick returner. He is not the best route runner, but has good field vision, allowing him to find the gaps and turn on the jets to blow by defenders. If he sees the field, it will primarily be on punt and kick returns.

Will McClure is a junior college transfer from American River College. There, he averaged 12 yards per catch. He will be a scout team player, but McClure is a tough receiver who can be relied on to pick up first downs if ever called upon.

Alvoid Bennett is a versatile athlete, who thrives as a kick returner. He can line up in the slot or the backfield, providing the Bruins great depth.

Tight End Depth Chart

1. Austin Roberts, #88, R-Jr., 6’2″, 230 lbs.
2. Caleb Wilson, #81, R-So., 6’4″, 235 lbs.
3. Jimmy Jaggers, #89, Fr., 6’4″, 240 lbs.
4. Jordan Wilson, #84, R-Fr., 6’4″, 245 lbs.
5. Devin Asiasi, #87, So., 6’3″, 287 lbs.
6. Giovanni Gentosi, #45, R-Jr., 6’2″, 250 lbs.
7. Alex Rassool, #85, R-Jr., 6’3″, 235 lbs.

Austin Roberts was named to the John Mackey Award watch list earlier in the offseason, creating instant buzz around UCLA’s tight end. Although he isn’t an amazing pass blocker, Roberts is incredibly fast for his 6’2” 235 pound frame, making him an excellent receiving tight end. He compliments his speed with great route running and an ability to make catches over the middle. He will be Rosen’s number one redzone target.

Caleb Wilson is a big tight end who can make catches in traffic. Most of his receptions will come over the middle, as he doesn’t have the speed to beat cornerbacks on the outside. However, once Wilson has the ball, he is incredibly difficult to bring down. He will be tasked with moving the chains and creating first downs, and will be another redzone option for Rosen.

Jimmy Jaggers is a four-star freshman tight end according to ESPN. He is a traditional tight end, who lines up on the offensive line and uses his large frame to make catches down the middle of the field. Jaggers is tough tackle after the catch, helping him pick up extra yards. He is also an excellent blocker, and makes the Bruins very deep at tight end.

Jordan Wilson has the ability to be a starter for many programs, but suffers from the depth the Bruins have at tight end. He gets off the line quickly and excels at making catches against linebacker and safety coverage. He is shifty and can make tacklers miss. Wilson is also a good blocking tight end, and will be used in goal line and running plays.

Devin Asiasi joins UCLA after transferring from Michigan, and is a pure blocking tight end. He can stop defensive lineman at the line of scrimmage, and use his speed to block linebackers at the next level. Expect to see Asiasi in jumbo packages, where the Bruins stack the line for short yardage run situations.

Giovanni Gentosi is a converted offensive lineman, who serves as a blocking tight end. Gentosi will be hard-pressed to find playing time with ample depth at the position. He will see the field on special teams, and possibly in goal line or running plays.

Alex Rassool is a converted defensive lineman, who used his speed to get past the offensive line to take down quarterbacks. As a tight end, Rassool will be on the scout team, and will provide UCLA with a faster receiving tight end.

Next: The Top 30 UCLA Football Players of All-Time

Stay with Go Joe Bruin as we continue our depth chart projections in the coming weeks. In our next piece, we look at the offensive line.