A few thoughts...
Josh Malone will absolutely have the chance to go in rounds 2-4. Talk of him being in the last couple of rounds or an UDFA is moranic. There is more tape on him than many WRs, including DGB who went in the second round. Malone is a much better WR than DGB, and although he isn't the physical freak DGB is, his measurables are very good for the NFL game. Staying be next year would be high-risk, high reward, and I hope he does.
I hate to say things like this because of recency bias and hyperbole, but I truly believe Derek Barnett is the best UT player since Peyton. I hope he goes to get paid, because he has nothing left to prove.
S&C is the key to the offseason, as well as getting a QB coach. I don't really think Debord is a problem at all. I think talk of getting Shoop his own coaches is overblown. There are a few position coaching spots that need to be upgraded, and I think they need to be elite recruiters above all else to stop the bleeding there, more so than having any connection to Shoop.
The offensive line and Kelly will be the reason for optimism next season. A lot is made of AK being a better fit than Hurd; I think Kelly is a better fit than any back Butch has had. If he stays healthy, he will be in the All SEC conversation.
I find it ironic that a lot of those who denigrate those who question Butch are predicting 0-2 losses next year. Setting those expectations with such a big talent drain is doing him no favors. Realistically I expect an 8-4 record, and not to see JG until a couple of losses occur. More importantly, 2017 needs to be a reset for recruiting. The talent level and depth of the team as a whole is not where it needs to be to make any noise if the 2017 class doesn't have a complete turnaround, if the 2016 class doesn't have more difference makers than we think, and after all the attrition from the previous classes.
If we finish 8-4, we will see Butch in 2018 because you can't pay 8 million dollars to fire an 8-4 coach.
