“Next man up.”

It’s the mantra for every football team out there. If one player can’t go, coaches always hope that the next man on the depth chart is ready to step up in his place without missing a beat.

Developing that depth is crucial to coaches around the SEC, especially when considering the physicality of the league. Now that spring practice is completed, we can take a look to see which teams have done the best job of cultivating and developing depth on their rosters heading into the summer.

5. Auburn — Despite some key losses, the Tigers return plenty of veteran talent that’s elevated them to one of the favorites to win the SEC West this year. The defense will be buoyed by several key returnees — linebackers Cassanova McKinzy and Kris Frost decided to come back as seniors, while defensive end Carl Lawson is back after missing last season with a knee injury. Johnathan Ford and Jonathan Jones are back to anchor the secondary, while last year’s inexperienced talent on the defensive line has a year under their belts. On offense, Auburn has to replace much of its core, but there’s not much to worry about in the backfield with Jeremy Johnson, Jovon Robinson and Roc Thomas ready for the big time, while D’haquille Williams and Ricardo Louis are back out wide with a few incoming players to bolster their ranks. Replacing center Reese Dismukes is the greatest concern on that side of the ball, though.

4. LSU  — Without its quarterback issues, LSU might be the favorite in the SEC West. The Tigers’ offensive line shuffle shows how deep and versatile that group is, as they’ll start new players at all five positions and likely not suffer any drop in performance. The receiving corps might be the best in the SEC, talent- and depth-wise, while the duo of Leonard Fournette and Darrel Williams will be supplemented by two very talented incoming freshmen. Switching to defense, Defensive Back U will be in full force once again, while the defensive line has plenty of young options under new coach Ed Orgeron. Linebacker might be the thinnest position on that side of the ball with just seven scholarship players, but all seven can really play.

3. Ole Miss — The Rebels may have the most talented team in school history this year, with as may as four potential 2016 NFL first-round picks on the roster. The talent doesn’t stop at the top, though. Ole Miss returns all five members of the offensive line as well as its top reserve lineman (although few were healthy this spring). It bolstered an already-strong receiving corps in recruiting, and several key players at other positions will return from injury. Despite losing two former All-Americans in the secondary, Ole Miss doesn’t expect any drop off thanks to several key additions and former backups stepping up into bigger roles. While quarterback is a concern, the Rebels have a couple of quality options to look to.

2. Georgia — The Bulldogs were spared the pain of several early exits to the NFL, with multiple key players deciding to return for their senior years, including standout linebackers Jordan Jenkins and Leonard Floyd. The secondary only lost one starter, while the front seven adds far more talent than it lost from last year. On offense, Georgia has a historically deep backfield, with four players who could legitimately start anywhere in the SEC if healthy. While there’s still an ongoing quarterback battle, Mark Richt sounds confident in both Brice Ramsey and Faton Bauta. The only concern on the team is at wide receiver, but with the way Georgia runs the ball that will be far from a devastating deficiency.

1. Alabama — When a team pulls in five straight top-ranked recruiting classes, it will naturally settle in near the top of a list like this one. The backfield is perhaps the shallowest position on the team thanks to losing three players to injury, dismissal and transfer, but it still features a Heisman candidate in Derrick Henry and several other versatile weapons. Both quarterback and receiver are low on experience, but the depth chart is populated with former four- and five-star recruits. The same goes for the offensive line, where several former touted recruits step up to supplement stars Ryan Kelly and Cam Robinson. The defensive secondary is a bit thin on experience, although not for talent — Eddie Jackson will help shore up the safety rotation, as should early enrollee freshman Ronnie Harrison. The cornerback rotation has two five-star signees from the 2014 class ready to step up as well, while the front seven is as loaded as ever.