Now in the post-signing day, pre-spring lull, we’ve begun a deep dive into all aspects of the SEC.

Having already taken a look at the top individual players at each position, it’s time to assess some of the conference’s most important position groups. Both depth and top-end talent will play a role in these rankings.

Today, the SEC’s five best edge rushing units will be under the microscope. For clarity, an edge rusher is primarily either a defensive end in a 4-3 or an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. For the sake of discussion, however, we will include any outside linebacker or defensive end who is effective in rushing the passer.

No. 5: LSU

Top returning edge rusher: Arden Key

Expected returning production: 14 sacks

LSU’s spot on this list comes with the assumption that Key will be available for the Tigers next season. With the likes of Myles Garrett and Derek Barnett heading to the NFL, Key, who had a school-record 12 sacks in 2016, is the best pass rusher in the conference. The rising junior has taken an indefinite leave of absence, but Ed Orgeron expects his star linebacker to be back at some point.

Key’s return is crucial for LSU, because the Tigers have very little proven pass rush depth coming off the edge. Defensive ends Rashard Lawrence and Frank Herron, who each had one sack last season, are the only other returning edge players who registered a sack in 2016.

There are some players who could rise to the occasion in 2017, however. Andre Anthony, Sci Martin and Ray Thornton could each take a step forward this fall. If Key misses significant time, though, there isn’t much LSU can do to replace him.

No. 4: Ole Miss

Top returning edge rusher: Marquis Haynes

Expected returning production: 12 sacks

The Rebels get a slight nod over the Tigers due to Key’s iffy status and a pair of proven returning edge rushers.

Haynes will be back for his senior season, which is a big boost for Ole Miss. The defensive end led the team with seven sacks in 2016, and he has 24.5 sacks in his career. Outside linebacker DeMarquis Gates, who finished with four sacks last season, is a solid complement to Haynes and should continue to improve his skills with another offseason.

Defensive ends Fadol Brown and John Youngblood won’t be back next season, but Garrald McDowell made some nice strides in the fall and could become an effective player opposite Haynes.

No. 3: Florida

Top returning edge rusher: Jabari Zuniga

Expected returning production: 12.5 sacks

Florida has a good amount of depth returning at defensive end, and some young players who have shown upside.

As a freshman, Zuniga led the team with five sacks, and he could very well improve upon that number next season. Jordan Sherit is a veteran defensive end who registered a career-high 3.5 sacks last fall. He doesn’t have the same level of talent that Zuniga does, but Sherit’s experience is a big plus.

Cece Jefferson, Keivonnis Davis and Antonneous Clayton will each factor into the rotation and are also capable pass rushers. Incoming freshman Zachary Carter is an explosive edge player and a strong candidate to see the field sooner rather than later.

No. 2: Kentucky

Top returning edge rusher: Josh Allen

Expected returning production: 17 sacks

The Wildcats have the best trio of returning pass rushers in the SEC.

Allen, Kentucky’s strongside linebacker, was a force off the edge and registered a team-leading seven sacks last fall. Fellow outside linebacker Jordan Jones had four sacks and has become one of the best linebackers in the SEC. Denzil Ware plays a hybrid defensive end/linebacker role and finished with 5.5 sacks last year.

Kentucky’s defense didn’t generate much of a pass rush outside of those three, but Allen, Jones and Ware give the Wildcats a trio difficult to match.

No. 1: Georgia

Top returning edge rusher: Lorenzo Carter

Expected returning production: 16 sacks

Kirby Smart is intent on improving Georgia’s pass rush, and that may very well happen in 2017.

There is a lot of talent on the Bulldogs defense, including a good blend of experience and talent among the edge rushers. Carter has always possessed freakish physical talent at outside linebacker, and he made some strides in his first season with Smart in charge. Linebacker Davin Bellamy continued to progress as a pass rusher last fall and registered five sacks, tying Carter and Trenton Thompson for most on the team.

On the defensive line, Jonathan Ledbetter looks like a prime candidate to become a difference-maker after playing well following his six-game suspension in 2016. David Marshall made a nice impression as a true freshman and finished with 2.5 sacks while still getting a feel for the game. The Bulldogs should also get a nice infusion of new blood on the edge with the arrival of true freshmen Robert Beal and Malik Herring.

Georgia doesn’t have a double-digit sack player returning, but it does have a vast array of impact pass rushers who will be tough to block.