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Passing Game Outlook
The league’s best-named team tabbed former Texas A&M and Arizona head coach Kevin Sumlin as their lead man. In his final five seasons at the collegiate level, Sumlin operated at a nearly even run-pass split, dropping back at a 50.7% clip in three seasons at Arizona and 50.8% at A&M. Sumlin and the Stallions selected QB Clayton Thorson with their first overall pick to lead the offense. In four seasons as Northwestern’s starter, Thorson managed to go 991-1696 (58.4%) for 10,731 yards, 61 TDs, and 45 INTs while averaging 6.3 YPA and a paltry 3.6% TD rate. Thorson was ultimately selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft and would spend the next three seasons bouncing around NFC East practice squads. In his brief preseason appearances, he went 35-78 (44.9%) for 338 yards, two TDs, and three INTs. In an otherwise talented South division, Houston’s QB room is uninspiring with Thorson at the helm.
The Gamblers used their first WR pick to select former Patriot Isaiah Zuber. Zuber spent four years at Kansas State, where he posted season highs in receptions (52), receiving yards (619), and touchdowns (5) on a 26.9% target share before transferring to Mississippi State to finish his collegiate career. Signed by New England as a 2020 UDFA, Zuber went for 6/71/1 in three preseason appearances.
With their second WR selection, Houston selected JoJo Ward. In college at Hawaii, Ward posted a big 65/1,134/11 receiving line in the Rainbow Warriors’ pass-first offense. He signed as a 2020 UDFA, where he made one preseason appearance for the Arizona Cardinals. Though he proved capable of playing on the perimeter at Hawaii, the 5’9”, 175-lb Ward profiles as a slot in the USFL.
The Gamblers added Anthony Ratliff-Williams with their third WR selection. Ratliff-Williams posted a 42/689/2 line in his final collegiate season at North Carolina on a 21.3% target share before signing with the Titans as a 2019 UDFA.
With their final WR pick in the primary draft, Houston added Tyler Simmons. Simmons is a former four-star recruit who played four unproductive seasons at Georgia, where he posted season highs in receptions (21) and yards (255) in his final season. Simmons signed as an UDFA in 2020 and appeared in one preseason game with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021. He is a natural athlete that can win against lesser competition.
Neither the Gamblers’ first TE selection, Brandon Barnes, or second selection, Julian Allen, profile as prolific pass catchers. Barnes had 29 career receptions in 40 games at Alabama State before signing as a 2017 UDFA. He played with the AAF’s Memphis Express and XFL’s Los Angeles Wildcats, where he totaled 21 receptions in 15 games. Allen had 22 receptions in 24 collegiate games at Southern Mississippi. He made three appearances with the XFL’s Dallas Renegades and did not record a reception.
Running Game Outlook
As a play caller in Arizona, Sumlin had no issue giving the lion’s share of the rushing workload to a single back. In 2020, Gary Brightwell handled 69.3% of the backfield’s rushing attempts; in 2019 and 2018, JJ Taylor (45.8% and 63.8%) was the lead dog. With their first RB selection, Houston selected Dalyn Dawkins. Dawkins played three collegiate seasons at Colorado State, where he compiled a 589/3,300/14 rushing line before signing with the Tennessee Titans as a 2018 UDFA. A familiar face for preseason grinders, Dawkins actually got regular season work in 2019 with the Titans.
The Gamblers used their second RB selection on Mark Thompson. The 6’2”, 235-lb Thompson is no stranger to preseason success, where he posted a 59/261/2 rushing line in nine preseason appearances from 2018-2019. Thompson has not played since being waived by the Raiders before the 2020 season.
Thompson’s size + speed profile should give him an early role in Sumlin’s offense. While neither standout as prolific pass catchers, Dawkins should get the early nod to lead the two-back committee in high-value touches. In a recent interview, Sumlin was quick to point out the importance of versatility in his offense, highlighting the desire to move running backs around the formation to put pressure on opposing defenses. Despite a lacking pass-catching track record we should expect Dawins, Thompson and third running back Devwah Whaley to be utilized as receivers.
