NewBeginnings

These guys were drafted in the first round of the same draft. Each have had below average QB play for most of their careers, injuries, and losing teams. Yet, coming into this season I think most fans would have labeled Olave as the bust and the other two as budding stars.
Today, I wonder who most NFL fans would take. Below are their career stats:

London: 304 rec., 3,879 yards, 21 TD, 12.8 avg., 4 lost fumbles

Wilson: 315 rec., 3,644 yards, 18 TD, 11.6 avg., 5 lost fumbles

Olave: 291 rec., 3,728, 19 TD, 12.8 avg., 3 lost fumbles

I think a full year of Shough at QB next year is going to put Olave’s name high up on the best WR rankings.

I’ve always liked how Payton and Loomis would break down what the roster needed based on these categories. Cannot fill them all in an offseason. Below are how I see the roster based on these categories:

Musts
Guards
Versatile Tight End (primary blocking but can catch some)
Run stuffing DT


Needs
Receiver who can be a 1 or 2 option
Secondary
Pass rusher
Punter

Wants
Explosive RB

After 20+ years I think Loomis has a consistent pattern. When the chips are down, he pulls a rabbit out of the hat. Problem is when things are going well, he seems to outsmart himself and make risky choices.

2005: Post Katrina the franchise is at its worst place.
2006: Loomis gets a great coach, QB, and makes the right choices in draft to turn around everything.

2016: Defense has been bottom of league for multiple years. Wasting Drew’s prime. Huge draft and FA busts.
2017: Best draft in NFL history. Leads to most consistent success in Saints history.

2024: Widely considered to be the worst rebuild situation in the league. Overpriced and overrated older QB that is hurt. Lots of aging veterans. Few young pieces. Best young offensive player may retire due to concussions.
2025: Miraculously finds a franchise QB in the 2nd round, has the best draft since 2017, old QB surprisingly retires and gives $$ back, and will be free and clear salary cap wise one year from now.

He is great in crisis. It’s success that he doesn’t handle well- trading picks unnecessarily, risky FA moves, etc.
I’m hoping he breaks the pattern this offseason and makes reasonable moves.

I would say it is more than “just a few more dollars”. If he gave TCU 4 years, then he has met any loyalty he owes them.
Most college football players will either never play pro ball or will barely serve time on a practice squad. This is the only time in their life that most will be able to profit financially off of their athletic ability. I can’t blame them.

As long as we do not make a ridiculous trade up, then we will be fine drafting between 10-15. Let the draft come to you.

What could make this work is that Kiffin’s system is known for giving QB’s easy reads. This could be huge for Lagway.
The concern that I have is that Kiffin’s system works best with QB’s with mobility. I don’t see him as a mobile QB. Size is a plus but he’s injury prone and running often may not be his game.

Dart and Shedeur were both draft darlings. Most football fans know who they are and so it is easy content to discuss how they are doing early in their career.
Shough was unknown to fans who do not follow the NFL, draft, or college extensively.

Don’t most people change jobs based on pay?

This is the most Mississippi thing ever. Mississippi politicians criticize other states and say that their lifestyle is better. Yet, for every dollar in taxes that MS pays, it receives $4 in tax revenue back from the federal government bc it is a welfare state.
Ole Miss criticizing Lane and his choices, yet accepting assistance from the same person with open arms.
At least MS is consistent.

I was hoping for as high a draft pick as possible, but I feel confident that we will win 5 and be drafting around 9-12. The good news is:
1. We are playing almost all of our 2025 draft picks a lot. They are all flashing potential.
2. We have clearer direction regarding QB. Even if Shough doesn’t turn out to be the franchise guy, he has earned the right to develop next year wo a 1st round QB breathing down his neck.
3. Our needs are more clear. Last year we only won 5 games but did not have clear roster perspective. We were an old mess.
4. Our defense has played hard and kept us around in many games. No one seems to be mailing it in on Defense on a 3-10 team. That has to be a sign of a healthy locker room. The Jets for instance look like they have given up.