We’ve reached the deadline to enter the NFL draft early.

As is the case every season, the SEC is full of third-year players ready to earn a paycheck to play football.

Let’s take a look at the five most significant losses in the SEC due to early entry.

NO. 5: LSU DE DANIELLE HUNTER

The 6-foot-6, 240-pound junior led the Tigers with 13 tackles for loss despite what could easily be argued as below-expectations production.

Hunter would’ve provided a cornerstone piece for incoming defensive coordinator Kevin Steele and defensive line coach Ed Orgeron. He seemed poised to become a dominating player in the SEC with one more season.

The biggest reason Hunter made this list, though, is because LSU coach Les Miles sounded so intent on the wound created by such heavy personnel losses on defense due to early NFL draft defections in the last few years. By all media accounts out of Louisiana, Hunter was the swing decision (along with S Jalen Mills), as LB Kwon Alexander and CB Jalen Collins always destined to leave and the offensive prospects set to return.

One has to wonder whether the decision of defensive coordinator John Chavis to leave for Texas A&M impacted Hunter’s choice. Either way, LSU has the makings of a Top 5 or 10 defense in 2015, but the loss of the team’s best defensive end doesn’t help.

NO. 4: FLORIDA DE DANTE FOWLER

A case could be made for LT D.J. Humphries to make this list ahead of Fowler. Florida returns more talent on defense than on offense, and with a still-unresolved quarterback situation (conundrum?) entering spring practice, having an NFL-caliber, SEC-tested lineman protecting the blindside of Will Grier or Treon Harris would’ve been nice.

But Fowler made 15 tackles for loss and an astounding 17 quarterback hurries in 2014. One could argue he was the most dominant defender in the SEC last season, though there are others in that conversation. Fowler disrupted the timing and rhythm of opposing quarterbacks with such regularity. It would’ve given new defensive coordinator Geoff Collins a version of Preston Smith, only better. (Smith tortured opposing offensive linemen last season for Mississippi State).

Plus, Florida’s cornerbacks should be tremendous next season, led by All-American candidate Vernon Hargreaves. Brian Poole and Jalen Tabor both should continue to develop as well. With a player like Fowler getting after quarterbacks, that trio of cover corners would be even more effective, providing what would be a nascent offense with some cushion.

NO. 3: ALABAMA WR AMARI COOPER

The best receiver in Alabama history (or at least 1b to Julio Jones), Cooper accounted for an astounding 42.8 percent of the Crimson Tide’s receptions and 44.4 percent of the team’s receiving yards in 2014. Lane Kiffin’s offenses historically favor No. 1 receivers, but Alabama is losing its second and third options at the position as well in DeAndrew White and Christion Jones.

The Crimson Tide once again will be breaking in a new starting quarterback — most likely Jacob Coker. Blake Sims played much better than most Alabama followers could’ve anticipated, but is there any way the team makes the College Football Playoff this season without Cooper? His absence not only puts more weight on the quarterback’s shoulders, but he also helped disguise the flaws with Alabama’s interior running game, which regressed in 2014.

We’re past the days when Alabama could put up 21 points and expect to win every game with its defense. The Crimson Tide offense historically is predicated off of the running game and a powerful offensive line. But don’t overlook the significance of Jones and Cooper as they relate to the success of Nick Saban’s Alabama teams.

NO. 2: ARKANSAS DT DARIUS PHILON

Get any SEC fan to play word association — whether or not he or she roots for the Razorbacks — and the first three answers are probably Bret Bielema, the running game and the giant offensive line, in some order.

But the defensive front seven is the reason Arkansas surged from 3-9 to 7-6 in Bielema’s second season. Senior Trey Flowers put together an under-appreciated all-around season at defensive end, and could get drafted in the second round. Senior linebacker Martrell Spaight earned first-team All-SEC honors.

Philon, the third member of the dominant trio, played a huge role in a nasty run defense that finished 12th in the country in yards allowed per game. All three managed double-digit tackles for loss, as Philon finished with 11.5, including 4.5 sacks, and recovered three fumbles.

Those three helped Arkansas manhandle the likes of Alabama’s offensive line, and the team could’ve finished with nine or 10 wins with another break or two. The defense finished 10th in the country in points allowed per game, and looks primed to take a step back in 2015. Bielema’s momentum at Arkansas may get halted because of it.

NO. 1: MISSOURI DE SHANE RAY

The second consecutive Tigers defensive end to win SEC Defensive Player of the Year, Ray is departing Columbia, Mo., at the same time as Markus Golden. That means Missouri is likely to lose four NFL draft picks at defensive end within two years.

Marcus Loud and Charles Harris have talent, but it remains to be seen whether the duo will develop into anything resembling Ray and Golden rushing off the edge. If they do, it doesn’t seem likely it will come in 2015.

Missouri won back-to-back SEC East titles primarily because Ray spearheaded the SEC’s best pass rush in 2014. That dictated everything the team did on defense, as it allowed the linebackers to play aggressively and it masked some of the weaknesses in the secondary. The defense also covered for an inconsistent offense.

Ray was an eraser this season, both for other team’s offenses and for Missouri’s weaknesses. He finished with 22.5 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks. The team’s defensive tackles and middle linebacker will have to provide the unit’s foundation in 2015.

Others Considered: Mississippi State LB Benardrick McKinney, Florida OT D.J. Humphries, Alabama S Landon Collins