Calvin Ridley, Christian Kirk and Javon Wims are no longer in the SEC, but the league still has some of the best wide receivers around.

Athlon Sports has noticed, and ranked three units among the top five of teams around the country. Ole Miss, South Carolina and Alabama each fall in that top tier of teams, with the Rebels, featuring A.J. Brown, DaMarkus Lodge and D.K. Metcalf.

The publication chose the units, including tight ends, based on, “depth, overall talent, production, level of competition and projected output in 2018.”

Athlon called Brown arguably the best receiver in the game, and looked for more opportunities this year for tight end Dawson Knox.

After West Virginia and Oklahoma, South Carolina checked in at No. 4 led by Deebo Samuel, but supported with a host of contributors, including Bryan Edwards, Shi Smith and OrTre Smith.

Not only is Ridley gone in Tuscaloosa, but Cam Sims and Robert Foster have given way to the next wave of Crimson Tide pass-catchers led by DeVonta Smith, Henry Ruggs and Jerry Jeudy. But at least four freshmen and three tight ends are also in line.

Other teams rounding out the list of the top 40 were Missouri (12), Georgia (13), Auburn (14), Florida (21) and Tennessee (29).