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Now that the Big Ten’s only 1,000-yard receiver, Northwestern’s Austin Carr, is gone, who are the top returning wide receivers heading into 2017?

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One of the toughest jobs in the Big Ten this season will belong to any defensive back that faces Indiana. The Hoosiers return starting quarterback Richard Lagow and their top receivers from 2015 and 2016, Simmie Cobbs and Nick Westbrook, respectively. Outside of Bloomington, though, there are more questions than answers on the outside, especially since Northwestern’s Austin Carr, the league’s only 1,000-yard receiver a year ago, has used up his eligibility.

Top Returning Big Ten Wide Receivers

5. D.J. Moore, Maryland

Moore will begin the season with a 23-game streak of starts, having cracked the lineup as a true freshman in 2015. And his work ethic ensures he’ll keep getting better. Moore bulked up last offseason, allowing him to break more tackles in the open field and contribute as a downfield blocker. The 5-11, 215-pounder also caught 41 passes for a Terp-best 637 yards and six touchdowns on a team that ranked 106th nationally in passing offense.

4. Malik Turner, Illinois

Turner has been a playmaker in each of his three seasons in Champaign, reaching career-highs in 2016 with 48 receptions for 712 yards and six touchdowns. He closed his junior year with 11 grabs for 164 yards and two scores versus Northwestern, a hopeful harbinger of things to come in 2017. Turner has sticky hands to go along with the 6-3, 205-pound frame to elevate high above defenders and pluck the ball from the air.

3. Jazz Peavy, Wisconsin

Peavy is the kind of versatile playmaker that’ll keep the Badger staff up at night concocting different ways to get him in space. He’s a good receiver, increasing his sophomore production to 43 catches for 635 yards and five touchdowns. But Peavy is equally dangerous on jet sweeps, using his wheels and his vision to rush for 318 yards in 2016. Wisconsin needs to do an even better job of getting the ball in his hands this fall.

2. Nick Westbrook, Indiana

The Hoosiers needed someone to step up after Simmie Cobbs went down early last year. Westbrook to the rescue. He seized the opportunity in just his second year, leading the team with 54 receptions for 995 and six touchdowns. The 6-3, 215-pound Westbrook is very big, very fast and skilled at winning 50/50 balls. With more help on the other side and another season with Richard Lagow, there will be no drop-off in production for the emerging junior.

1. Simmie Cobbs, Indiana

Instead of blooming into one of the nation’s best wide receivers, Cobbs spent 2016 rehabbing a broken ankle. He never caught a pass as a junior, earning a medical redshirt for the lost year. As a sophomore, though, he introduced himself with 60 catches for 1,035 yards and four touchdowns. Cobbs’ best attribute is his vast catch-radius. Not only is he 6-4 and 224 pounds, but he uses his long arms and leaping ability to markedly expand the target for his quarterback.

MORE: Top Returning Wide Receivers In College Football For 2017