Like it or not, Gus Malzahn’s job security – or lack of it – will be the most dominant storyline for Auburn in 2016. And his fate on The Plains will be tied to one of the biggest decisions of his career: Who will he choose to start at QB this season?

He can go with known commodities such as incumbents Jeremy Johnson and Sean White, but Malzahn knows that he can’t afford to have either player perform like he did in 2015. Or he can go with the great unknowns, John Franklin III or Woody Barrett, and let his immediate future ride with one of those incoming recruits.

The Tigers finished a disappointing 7-6 last season, but they did cap their campaign by shutting down NFL first-round pick Paxton Lynch and Memphis in their Birmingham Bowl victory, which might be something to build on. And as bad as Auburn’s defense has been the last two seasons, it’s not unreasonable to think that new defensive coordinator Kevin Steele will do a better job than his predecessors by default.

With spring practice behind us, these are Auburn’s 10 best players, even if they aren’t all healthy:

10. K Daniel Carlson

In this year’s A-Day game, Carlson picked up where he left off from last season, going 5-for-5 with field goals from 25 to 55 yards out. In 2015, the Lou Groza Award finalist was 4 of 5 on kicks of 50 yards or longer and tied for the SEC lead in field goals made (23) and had the best field goal percentage (85.2).

Until Auburn gets its QB quandary resolved, he might be the Tigers’ most consistent weapon on offense.

9. S Rudy Ford

Can Ford lead Auburn in tackles for a third straight season? The answer is a resounding yes. He’s obviously a great tackler, but he’s not the best pass defender, so Steele has been tinkering with a 4-2-5 look on defense, with Ford manning the nickel/star spot, a position that plays to the senior’s strengths.

 8. G Alex Kozan

The 2014 season that Kozan lost to a knee injury seems like a distant memory. The former SEC All-Freshman Team selection three years ago, now a veteran at left guard, is once again a key cog on the offensive line.

And by the way, did you happen to catch Kozan’s block in the A-Day Game that opened up Chandler Cox’s 71-yard run? The defense certainly did.

7. LB Tre’ Williams

Because all three starters from last season are graduating, Williams is Auburn’s most experienced linebacker going into 2016. And that’s why he’s on this list.

Williams, who made six tackles in the A-Day Game, is definitely one of the players Steele will be counting on this season. Last year, the 6-foot-2, 238-pounder made 55 stops in 12 games.

6. RB Kerryon Johnson

Why is a guy who missed all of spring ball with a shoulder injury so high on this list? Because of his talent and how valuable he is to the team.

If Jovon Robinson happens to get hurt, Johnson would more than likely become Auburn’s primary back, but he can play any of the skill positions on offense. As a true freshman last year, Johnson took snaps in the backfield, as a Wildcat QB and as a slot receiver.

In 2015, Johnson rushed 52 times for 208 yards and 3 TDs, caught 14 passes for 159 yards and returned 14 kickoffs for 386 yards. Keeping him healthy will be huge.

5. LT Austin Golson

Golson, who started at center for Auburn last season, is now moving to left tackle, which is critical, since he’ll be protecting the blind side of what could be a very inexperienced QB.

Xavier Dampeer’s emergence at center has allowed the Tigers to shift Golson, who played right tackle as a freshman at Ole Miss before transferring to Auburn.

4. DT Montravius Adams

After flirting with leaving early for the NFL this offseason, Adams made the right call by returning for his senior year. Adams’ sophomore campaign – when he had 44 tackles (3 for a loss), 2.5 sacks and 6 QB hurries – was the best year of his career so far. And a 2016 season with similar – if not better – production would obviously help both his draft stock and Auburn’s defense.

3. CB Carlton Davis

Like Johnson, Davis didn’t get to play in the A-Day Game because of an injury, but more importantly, he has to stay out of this kind of trouble if he wants to become the true lockdown corner the coaching staff believes he can be. Davis had 56 tackles, 8 pass breakups and 3 interceptions starting as a true freshman last year.

2. DE Carl Lawson

No, Lawson hasn’t been at Auburn forever. It only seems that way because of his extensive injury history. Because of those injuries, the redshirt junior is coming off his first A-Day Game last month in which he had four tackles and a sack.

Lawson missed all of 2014 with a torn ACL, and a hip injury sidelined him for half of last season. If he stays healthy, and we realize this is a big if, he should be one of the leaders of Auburn’s defense and one of the best pass rushers in the country.

1. RB Jovon Robinson

With Peyton Barber leaving early for the NFL, Robinson should be Auburn’s primary weapon on offense. In eight games last season, the 6-foot, 230-pounder rushed for 639 yards and 3 TDs and should extend Auburn’s streak of having at least one 1,000-yard rusher every year since 2009.

If Robinson’s A-Day Game numbers are any indication – 10 carries for 83 yards – the Tigers’ running game is already in good shape. Now about that passing game?