The Contingency -- Wide receiver

Wide receiver

The Men: Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, Marvin McNutt

The Contingency: Colin Sandeman, Keenan Davis, Paul Chaney Jr.

When it comes to receiver at Iowa, contingency plays, but maybe not as much as you think.

Look at Iowa's receiver production in 2009. Johnson-Koulianos led the way with 45 catches, McNutt had 34 and then it was Trey Stross and 31. There was a drop-off after Stross. Sandeman had 14 catches. After him, you go to Chaney with seven.

In the crunch last season, three receivers played -- DJK, McNutt and Stross. Sandeman and Chaney -- both of whom were injured -- saw some time. Davis caught four passes and none after week five.

As discussed in this post, Iowa's No. 3 wideout has averaged 23 receptions and 270 yards the last five years.

If there were an injury, trust would likely become a factor in who moves up the ladder. That leads to Sandeman, who's also the the Hawkeyes' punt returner (he finished third in the Big Ten last year in punt returns). He's put in his time, built up his body and his football IQ should be where coaches want it.

Davis is the bigger body (6-3, 215 to 6-1, 200). His growth between '09 and now will dictate what he sees on the field this fall. Could be a lot, could be a little.

Redshirt freshman Jordan Cotton could punch through, but his first steps on the field could be punt return. Incoming freshmen Kevonte Martin-Manley and Don Shumpert could factor, but the upperclassmen should rule this position. Walk-on Don Nordmann (6-6, 211) had a strong spring and could claw his way into some rotation time.

This all being said, it should also be noted that DJK has been a very durable player in his three seasons at Iowa.

He missed the Arizona game last season with a sore hamstring. Take that game out, he's failed to log a catch in just three of his 38 games in uniform and two of those came during his freshman season. Take out the injury game and DJK has caught a pass in 18 straight games.

McNutt also showed a willingness to play through pain. He suffered a thumb injury going into Wisconsin, but still played, and excelled, and caught six of his eight TD passes in Iowa's final six games.