Looking ahead: The 2018 roster

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2017 is over. What we do here, then, is immediately look ahead. The Tigers looked terrible for half a year, great for half a year and terrible again for their final game. They won't play again until September 1, 2018, but we take an early look ahead at what Barry Odom's roster will look like next season.

In the need to replace section, we include returning starters or significant contributors. The confidence factor is on a scale of 10 and reflects how good we feel about the Tigers next season at that position.

Returning Starters: Drew Lock (we think)

Need to Replace: None

Overview: Assuming Lock is back, the Tigers bring back the national leader in touchdown passes who took great strides as a junior. He will be a preseason all-SEC pick and possibly even a Heisman Trophy darkhorse. If Lock stays, the Tigers are fine here. If he leaves, we don't think the starter is on the roster right now.

Confidence Factor: 9/10 if Lock returns. 3/10 if he doesn't.

Returning Starters: Damarea Crockett

Need to Replace: Ish Witter

Overview: Crockett missed the final seven games of the season but ran for 1,000 yards last year. It's almost like adding a four-star recruit. Larry Rountree III was very good as a true freshman, running for 700 yards and averaging better than 5.5 per carry. That's a heck of a 1-2 punch to lean on. The Tigers will add redshirt freshman Isaiah Miller, true freshman Simi Bakare and bring back Dawson Downing too.

Confidence Factor: 9/10

Returning Starters: Johnathon Johnson, Emanuel Hall

Need to Replace: J'Mon Moore

Overview: Moore will be tough to replace. He has had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and has been Lock's go-to target for two years. Hall is a great deep threat, but needs to improve his hands and expand his game. Johnson is quick and fast, but ran hot and cold all year. Richaud Floyd and Nate Brown will have a crack at Moore's spot, but the Tigers are bringing in six receivers in the recruiting class. Da'Ron Davis, Harry Ballard, Kam Scott and Jalen Knox could all be contenders for immediate playing time.

Confidence Factor: 5/10

Returning Starters: Albert Okwuegbunam

Need to Replace: None

Overview: Albert O will be preseason all-SEC and maybe all-American. The Tigers could have the best unit in the country if they can finally get consistent production from Kendall Blanton. Sophomore Brendan Scales and redshirt freshman Logan Christopherson will be in the mix and the Tigers signed Messiah Swinson last week.

Confidence Factor: 10/10

Returning Starters: Paul Adams, Tre'Vour Simms, Trystan Castillo, Kevin Pendleton, Yasir Durant

Need to Replace: Tyler Howell, Adam Ploudre

Overview: They're all back. Missouri struggled up front in the first third of the season, but once they get the chemistry down this group was very good. Redshirt freshmen Case Cook, Larry Borom, Hyrin White and Pompey Coleman could put their names in the mix along with Jonah Dubinski. Missouri is still after juco lineman Johncarlo Valentin to add even more depth.

Confidence Factor: 8/10

Returning Starters: Terry Beckner, Jr.

Need to Replace: Marcell Frazier, AJ Logan, Jordan Harold

Overview: The Tigers have to replace 3/4 of the line, but there are logical successors on hand. Chris Turner and Tre Williams should start at defensive end and that might actually be an upgrade by next year. The question will be the depth. Nate Anderson will need to step forward and the Tigers will likely need something out of a true freshman, either Trajan Jeffcoat, Daniel Parker Jr. or Jatorian Hansford (if Mizzou can hang on to him).

Inside, Missouri is as deep as it has been in a while. Look for Jordan Elliott to start next to Beckner and Antar Thompson, Walter Palmore, Akial Byers and Rashad Brandon to provide plenty of depth. If the Tigers get Michael Thompson, they're legitimately three deep with ease at both spots.

Confidence Factor: 6/10. 3/10 at defensive end, 9/10 at defensive tackle

Returning Starters: Cale Garrett, Brandon Lee, Terez Hall

Need to Replace: None

Overview: By the end of the year, the trio above was playing most of the snaps. Joshuah Bledsoe was coming in on third downs. The Tigers will add Jamal Brooks and Aubrey Miller to mix and they're a solid two deep all the way across.

Confidence Factor: 8/10

Returning Starters: Adam Sparks, DeMarkus Acy, Kaleb Prewett

Need to Replace: Anthony Sherrils

Overview: The three returning starters have to all continue to get better. They improved throughout the year, but have a ways to go. The return of Christian Holmes will help. Don't rule out Acy moving to safety with Holmes and Sparks starting at corner. Redshirt freshman Terry Petry will join the mix and true freshman Tyrone Collins could play. Jerod Alton played some early in the year, but not much late. At safety, Tyree Gillespie and Jordan Ulmer will be counted on to step up and one of them will need to be ready to start. Don't rule out Jarvis Ware being in the mix as a freshman.

Confidence Factor: 5/10

Returning Starters: Tucker McCann, Corey Fatony

Need to Replace: None

Overview: The kicking games are on solid ground. Richaud Floyd returned punts this year and brought two all the way back. Larry Rountree III was the kickoff return man, but could cede some of those duties if his load picks up on offense and the Tigers have someone else they like. If I'm Barry Odom, I consider using a scholarship on a longsnapper in February, because the Tigers had some serious trouble there. Also, go ahead and make sure Michael Dickson isn't interested in being a graduate transfer from Texas (it's a joke, he's not).

Confidence Factor: 7/10