Much like the problem the SEC has when it comes to pass rushers, many of the conference’s best linebackers are heading to next month’s NFL draft.

Gone are guys like Alabama’s Reuben Foster and Tim Williams, Vanderbilt’s Zach Cunningham, Florida’s Jarrad Davis and LSU’s Kendell Beckwith, among others.

Still, though, there is plenty of returning talent at the position and plenty of highly rated recruits who are looking to make names for themselves this fall.

Here are the six players whose best assets we’d take to form a perfect SEC linebacker for the 2017 season:

Size: Darrin Kirkland Jr., Tennessee

Kirkland missed several games last year due to injury, and it was painfully obvious how much the thin Volunteers defense missed him.

At 6-1 and 230 pounds, Kirkland is an ideal size for a linebacker — big enough to match up against all but the largest SEC receivers and tight ends in the passing game and small and thick enough to maintain a low pad level when meeting running backs along the line of scrimmage.

If he can stay healthy, he could emerge as one of the conference’s best linebackers. His size makes him comparable to some of today’s best NFL middle linebackers, including Brandon Marshall and Bobby Wagner.

Strength: Mack Wilson, Alabama

Playing primarily on special teams in 2016, Wilson made a big impact (literally, just ask Texas A&M return man Speedy Noil):

As the potential heir to Reuben Foster’s middle linebacker position heading into the 2017 season, the rising sophomore will have a chance to bring his strength and big-hit ability to the middle of the Crimson Tide defense.

Wilson is still a raw talent, but the former 5-star recruit (of which Alabama and Nick Saban have several) has all the tools necessary to develop into the next great Alabama linebacker.

Tackling: Jordan Jones, Kentucky

Whenever the Wildcats need a critical stop, Jones usually gets it. As a sophomore in 2016, Jones finished third in the SEC with 109 tackles.

Only Vanderbilt’s Zach Cunningham (125) and Alabama’s Foster (115) had more, but both are heading to the NFL Draft next month, so Jones is the conference’s leading returning tackler.

Nov 26, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats linebacker Jordan Jones (34) wraps up Louisville Cardinals wide receiver Reggie Bonnafon (7) during the second quarter at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

At 6-2 and 220 pounds, Jones isn’t the most physically imposing linebacker in the SEC, but he has a nose for the football and wraps up better than anyone. He led the SEC with 74 solo tackles last season — the fourth-highest total in the past nine seasons.

Speed: Dylan Moses, Alabama

Though he’s only a freshman, Moses has already made a name for himself in Tuscaloosa. During spring workouts, the 5-star recruit ran an eye-popping 4.46-second 40-yard dash.

Whether he has a chance to make an impact on defense in 2017 remains to be seen, but having his raw speed and athleticism in our hypothetical perfect linebacker is definitely a plus.

Chasing down running backs, receivers and quarterbacks and moving quickly from sideline to sideline is an important part of a linebacker’s job. With 4.46 speed, Moses won’t let too many ball carriers get away from him.

Pass rushing: DeMarquis Gates, Ole Miss

Kentucky LB Josh Allen had seven sacks last year, but his came mostly against the Wildcats’ weaker opponents. The same can’t be said about Gates, though he only had four sacks for the Rebels in 2016.

However, those four sacks came against Florida State (two), LSU and Arkansas, so when the lights shine the brightest, Gates shows up big.

He dealt with knee injuries last year but is ready to go for his senior season.

Having a linebacker who can get to quarterbacks in important situations will make our perfect player even better.

Pass coverage: Skai Moore, South Carolina

Our perfect linebacker isn’t just a run-stuffer. He’s able to shut down running backs and tight ends in the passing game too.

There’s nobody better than Moore, who has 11 career interceptions and also led South Carolina in tackles each of his first three seasons.

Sep 12, 2015; Columbia, SC, USA; Kentucky Wildcats tight end C.J. Conrad (87) leaps for a pass in the end zone that is broken up by South Carolina Gamecocks linebacker Skai Moore (10) and safety Isaiah Johnson (21) during the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

He missed last season with a back injury, but doctors have proclaimed him ready to go.

Gamecocks linebackers coach Coleman Hutzler certainly is excited to have him back in the lineup.

“We can do some things with him, whether it’s in coverage, whether it’s in a pressure, whatever it might be where we can take advantage of that skill set whereas maybe we couldn’t with some other guys. So far his understanding of the scheme has been impressive,” Hutzler told The State.