With the loss of Evan Stewart, who could step up to be the Oregon Ducks’ WR2?
With Evan Stewart out for the year and Dakorien Moore slotted to be the team’s WR1, who will be their WR2?
The Oregon Ducks’ offense was one of the best in the country last season, and a significant reason was their ability to move the ball through the air. With Dillon Gabriel leading the way and an extremely talented receiver core around him, the Ducks’ passing attack was virtually unstoppable. That said, the 2025 Ducks will look a lot differently offensively as Gabriel and receivers Tez Johnson and Traeshon Holden all have moved on to the NFL.
The Ducks also lost their top returning receiver this spring, as it was announced that Evan Stewart suffered a significant knee injury that will likely knock him out for the whole season. Stewart was the Duck’s most talented weapon entering the year and was poised for a monster season. In his first three seasons, the first two with Texas A&M, Stewart had 139 receptions, 1,776 receiving yards, and 11 touchdowns. Many considered him a future first-round pick had he stayed healthy in 2025.
The loss of Stewart is a massive blow to the Ducks, specifically the Ducks’ passing game. The team now will be forced to rely on five-star true freshman Dakorien Moore, who appears to be a budding superstar, to be the team’s number one option out wide. While placing that expectation on a true freshman is not ideal, Moore is the type of talent who can come in and be a difference maker in year one – similar to how Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith did for the Buckeyes’ offense in 2024.
With Moore likely to be the team’s WR1, the question is, who will be the team’s WR2? Let’s take a look at some of the top contenders.
Justius Lowe
Lowe enters his junior season with a ton of opportunity in front of him. He is a returning player who saw plenty of snaps last season. Lowe started a handful of games last season when Johnson missed time with injury, and Lowe took advantage of his snaps. He finished last year’s season with 21 receptions, 203 receiving yards, and one touchdown. He displayed good route-running ability, hands, and ball skills. Lowe projects as a reliable pass-catching option who may lack game-breaking speed but can be a consistent chain mover for quarterback Dante Moore.
Gary Bryant Jr.
Bryant Jr. returns to Eugene for another season after injuries marred his 2024 campaign. He was a big part of the offense in 2023 with quarterback Bo Nix, and he consistently displayed his explosiveness and creativity with the ball in his hands. Now with Stewart out for the year, this could be the opportunity Bryant Jr. has needed to showcase his talent. He can play outside or in the slot and has shown that he can separate at all three levels of the field.
Malik Benson
The most experienced option, Benson, joins the Ducks after starting all games with Florida State last season. He is a big-bodied pass catcher who excels through the middle of the field and in contested catch situations. Benson lacks speed and explosiveness but has sure hands, excellent strength, and can be a reliable target for Moore – especially in the red zone. With Benson’s size and style of play, pairing him with Moore could make a lot of sense for the Ducks’ offense.
