Defined, “indispensable” means absolutely necessary. In football, what can make a player’s production indispensable is not just his overall production, but what would happen to his team if he weren’t on the field?

Once again, the SEC will put a wealth of talent on display in 2017. But which players can their respective teams not do without the most? Which player’s absence would have the biggest impact this season?

With 14 teams and numerous future All-Americans and NFL Draft picks, it’s not easy to decide who are the most indispensable to their respective teams. But here are five on offense whose production and health are the most important for their teams in 2017. Again, these aren’t necessarily the best players in the SEC, just the most indispensable.

On to the list.

5. QB Jacob Eason, Georgia

Big things are expected of Georgia in 2017. And big things are expected of sophomore quarterback Jacob Eason.

Eason’s freshman campaign would have been considered solid in many other seasons. But with stellar production from other SEC true freshmen QBs, most notably Jalen Hurts, Eason’s first season suddenly gets mixed reviews.

There were good numbers. For example, Eason threw just 8 interceptions last season, 2nd-fewest among SEC QB with at least 350 pass attempts. But there were the bad numbers also, such as averaging just 6.6 yards per attempt (2nd-lowest in the SEC).

True, Georgia has perhaps the best RB duo in the SEC this season in Nick Chubb and Sony Michel. But if the Bulldogs want to compete for the East Division title and beyond, keeping Eason on the field and productive is perhaps their best chance to reach these goals.

4. RB Devwah Whaley, Arkansas

Austin Allen might be the best quarterback in the SEC, and offensive lineman Frank Ragnow might be the Razorbacks’ best player.

But when 1,300-yard rusher Rawleigh Williams III announced his retirement in May following a second neck injury, the focus of the Razorbacks rushing attack was placed squarely on running back Devwah Whaley.

The sophomore had a solid freshman season in a backup role (602 rush yards, 5.5 yds per carry). But considering the numbers Williams III put up in 2016, fans likely will be expecting Whaley to double his freshman rushing yards for this season and give Arkansas yet another 1,000-yard rusher.

Arkansas has had at least one 1,000-yard rusher in four consecutive seasons.

Just how important will Whaley be? Consider that despite having the SEC’s leading rusher during the regular season last year, Austin Allen still was sacked an SEC-high 34 times.

Imagine the pressure SEC defense could put on Allen if they didn’t have to respect the Arkansas rushing attack?

3. OL Braden Smith, Auburn

Auburn has high hopes for 2017. A potential Heisman Trophy contender at quarterback in Jarrett Stidham, along with the return of the SEC’s leading rusher last season in Kamryn Pettway (122.4 YPG), has Tigers fans thinking SEC West title.

So why is this 2016 first-team All-SEC performer viewed as indispensable?

Three reasons. One, he enters 2017 having started the past 27 games, making him the most experienced of the Tigers’ three returning offensive line starters. Two, despite being an All-SEC performer at right guard, he is moving to right tackle, replacing 2nd-team All-SEC performer Robert Leff.

Third, and perhaps most important, if Stidham is a legitimate Heisman candidate, then keeping him on the field will be vital. And for all of the expectations surrounding Stidham, this is still a quarterback with only 109 career pass attempts, and none since November of 2015.

Stidham and Pettway might make the offense go. But without Smith anchoring perhaps the best line in the SEC, just how far can it really go?

2. WR Christian Kirk, Texas A&M

It can be argued that no head coach’s seat is hotter than Texas A&M’s Kevin Sumlin. And the uncertainty at quarterback following the departure of Trevor Knight will do little to slow down those rumors.

But whoever is under center, making sure the ball gets to Christian Kirk will go a long way to improve on last season’s third consecutive 8-5 campaign.

The junior wide receiver had a 2016 season that could best be viewed as mixed. He led the SEC in receptions (83), yet only averaged 11.2 yards per reception, 21st in the SEC among players with at least 40 catches.

However, there is no questioning his big-play ability. No player in the SEC had more all-purpose plays of 30-plus yards than Kirk’s 14 last season. And in his first two seasons with the Aggies, Kirk has 26 all-purpose 30-yard plays, also tops in the SEC.

Versatility also sets Kirk apart. He was the best punt returner in the SEC last season, leading the conference in yards (282) and TD (3).

If Sumlin wants to remain the Aggies coach beyond 2017, a 9- or even 10-win season might be in order. If that happens, you can bet the biggest reason will be Kirk.

1. QB Jalen Hurts, Alabama

Ok, so just how is it that Jalen Hurts, the SEC Offensive Player of the Year in 2016, is the most indispensable offensive player in the conference?

After all, we’re talking about a quarterback on a team that features maybe the best group of players at the running back position, the best wide receiver in the conference in Calvin Ridley, maybe its best receiver group since Nick Saban arrived and an offensive line that could have three preseason All-SEC performers.

Jalen Hurts was the only SEC QB to throw 20-plus TD passes and fewer than 10 INTs.

Couldn’t anyone play quarterback on a team with that much talent?

Guess again. These days when it comes to expectations, Alabama is operating on a different level than the rest of college football. Just making the College Football Playoff isn’t enough. It’s national title-or-bust.

And to claim that anyone can quarterback Alabama is to severely minimize his impact as a true freshman. Hurts was one of four QB in the SEC with a completion percentage over 60.0 and he was the only player in the conference to throw for more than 20 TD and have fewer than 10 interceptions.

Hurts also added 954 yards on the ground and 13 rushing TD, making him arguably the best dual-threat quarterback in the conference last season.

But perhaps what makes Hurts so indispensable for Alabama in its quest for another national championship is what is behind the sophomore. Entering fall camp, there is a good chance Alabama’s second- and third-stringers on the QB depth chart could be true freshmen — Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones.

As well as Tagovailoa played in the spring game, even the most die-hard Alabama fan might have a hard time saying yes to the question: Can the Crimson Tide compete for a national championship with a true freshman at quarterback for the second consecutive season?