RELATED: SEC West’s top candidates

Defenses rely more on the entire unit rather than a select few individuals, but there are some talented players returning to the SEC East this fall. As we did for the offensive side of the ball, we are here to determine the 10 players from the East who have the best chance at making a run for the conference’s overall Defensive Player of the Year award.

Since the conference began differentiating between offensive and defensive players of the year in 2002, six defensive ends, six linebackers, three tackles and three defensive backs have won the award. Seven players (out of 18, the award was split — coaches/AP — in three of the 15 seasons) from the East have won since 2002, most recently Missouri’s Shane Ray in 2014.

Before we begin, there are a few players who just missed the cut but deserve to be mentioned. David Reese, Bryson Allen-Williams, Todd Kelly Jr. and Josh Allen all have shown flashes of game-changing ability, but there are others who have a more proven track record or a higher ceiling.

With that out of the way, it’s time to reveal our Top 10.

No. 10 – Oren Burks, Vanderbilt

2016 stats: 59 Tkls, 6.5 TFL, 3.5 Sks, 1 INT, 6 PBU, 5 QBH, 1 FF

Zach Cunningham was Vanderbilt’s best defensive player last season and arguably the best defender in the entire conference. Now that he is off to the NFL, Burks is poised to replace him at middle linebacker. Although he was overshadowed by Cunningham, Burks had a very solid junior year. The versatile linebacker has exceptional range and should flourish as the leader of a veteran defense.

No. 9 – Jabari Zuniga, Florida

2016 stats: 25 Tkls, 8.5 TFL, 5 Sks, 11 QBH, 1 FF

As a true freshman, Zuniga burst onto the scene for the Gators and led the team in sacks and quarterback hurries. He will undoubtedly draw more attention from opposing offenses this fall, but if Zuniga is able to convert some of those quarterback hurries into sacks, he could become one of the conference’s best pass rushers.

No. 8 – Marcell Frazier, Missouri

2016 stats: 33 Tkls, 8.5 TFL, 7.5 Sks, 2 PBU, 4 QBH, 1 FF

Frazier was one of the hottest players down the stretch last season. Over the final three games, Frazier recorded 6.5 sacks and one other tackle for a loss. He benefited from playing opposite Charles Harris, but that won’t be the case this fall. Frazier must prove he can succeed as the Tigers’ top pass rusher, but Missouri knows a thing or two about developing defensive ends.

No. 7 – Marcell Harris, Florida

2016 stats: 73 Tkls, 4 TFL, 1 Sk, 2 INTs, 1 PBU, 1 QBH, 1 FF, 1 FR, 1 TD

Florida has had some very good safeties over the years, but Harris’ explosion during the second half of the 2016 season was something to behold. In the seven games after Harris became a regular starter at safety, he recorded 56 tackles and finished the year as Florida’s leading tackler. If Harris can keep up that level of play for a full season, the Gators may wonder why the rising senior didn’t start earlier in his career.

No. 6 – Lorenzo Carter, Georgia

2016 stats: 44 Tkls, 6 TFL, 5 Sks, 4 QBH, 2 FF, 1 FR, 1 TD

A physical specimen, Carter has yet to fully tap into his immense potential during his three years at Georgia. In his first season working with Kirby Smart, however, the rising senior showed renewed vigor and had his most productive fall for the Bulldogs. Carter’s decision to return for one final year in Athens could result in him raising his draft stock greatly, but only if he continues to improve under Smart. The 6-foot-6, 242-pound linebacker has all of the tools to become a dominant player, he just needs to make the most of his natural ability.

No. 5 – Mike Edwards, Kentucky

2016 stats: 100 Tkls, 5.5 TFL, .5 Sks, 3 INTs, 8 PBU

Edwards name might not yet be familiar to those outside of Lexington, but he is one of the best defensive backs in the conference. The rising junior was the only defensive back to record 100 tackles last season and is a Swiss Army Knife for the Wildcats. He made big strides in his second season and should continue that improvement this fall. Edwards can operate both as an in-the-box defender or as a centerfielder for Kentucky. Big Blue has one of the most talented defenses returning, but Edwards will undoubtedly stand out.

No. 4 – Trent Thompson, Georgia

2016 stats: 56 Tkls, 9.5 TFL, 5 Sks, 1 PBU, 1 QBH

The former No. 1 prospect made huge strides in his sophomore season with Smart pushing him to reach his massive potential. At his best, Thompson is virtually impossible to block with one offensive lineman, and he’s quick enough to knife through a double-team. It’s hard to tell how missing an entire spring will impact the defensive tackle, but Thompson should be one of the most productive interior linemen in the SEC.

No. 3 – Roquan Smith, Georgia

2016 stats: 95 Tkls, 5 TFL, 1 PBU, 3 QBH, 2 FF

Like Thompson, Smith was sensational in his second season for the Bulldogs. He recorded nearly double the number of tackles as Georgia’s second-leading tackler and averaged over nine tackles per game in the team’s final eight contests. The top linebacker on possibly the best linebacker unit in the conference, Smith is Georgia’s lead run-stopper and very rarely misses a tackle. If he improves other aspects of his game, he’ll be among the best defenders in the SEC.

No. 2 – Skai Moore, South Carolina

2015 stats: 111 Tkls, 6.5 TFL, 2 Sks, 4 INTs, 4 PBU, 1 QBH, 3 FF  

After missing the 2016 season with a neck injury, Moore is back as a redshirt senior and ready to lead South Carolina’s defense. The middle linebacker has already proven himself as one of the best tacklers, but it’s his ability in coverage that makes him such a great player. In his three seasons, Moore has snagged 11 interceptions and is just three picks shy of tying the school record. The Gamecocks don’t have much linebacker depth, so Moore will likely be on the field a lot.

No. 1 – Jordan Jones, Kentucky

2016 stats: 109 Tkls, 15.5 TFL, 4 Sks, 4 PBU, 9 QBH, 1 FF

Kentucky should have one of the best defensive units coming back this fall, and Jones is the centerpiece. The interior linebacker is exceptionally well rounded and has few weaknesses for opposing offenses to exploit. Jones had four games in which he recorded double-digit tackles, and he averaged nearly nine tackles per game in 2016. Jones is the SEC’s returning leader in both tackles and tackles for a loss, and the rising junior has the potential to be even better this fall.

SEC Defensive Players of the Year, last 10 years

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Coaches and The Associated Press had different choices for three seasons, as indicated.