When you are an elite team like Alabama has been for the past decade and Georgia was last year, you’re going to lose a lot of players to the NFL.

That was certainly the case for both defenses this year, as there is some serious rebuilding that needs to be done by Nick Saban and Kirby Smart.

So, which national title contender is in a better position to rebuild on the fly and continue to dominate foes on that side of the ball? Each team has its strengths heading into the 2018 season, but one squad has a clear edge.

Here, we break down what each team has returning on defense this fall:

Defensive line

Starters lost: Alabama 2 (Da’Ron Payne, Da’Shawn Hand); Georgia 2 (John Atkins, Trenton Thompson).

Key returnees: Alabama has Raekwon Davis returning, and he could become the next Crimson Tide defensive lineman to go in the first round of the NFL Draft. Isaiah Buggs also returns and could be another high draft pick. Georgia gets guys like Tyler Clark and Jonathan Ledbetter back.

Who has the edge? Alabama once again has more dynamic players along the defensive line, with Davis (below) and Buggs set to become stars. It’ll also be interesting to see how Quinnen Williams, a mere 4-star from 2016, fares in a larger role.

Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia, in its 3-4 scheme, doesn’t need as much individual greatness from its linemen, as the defense is set up to let the linebackers shine. However, Clark is a rising star and will draw the eyes of NFL scouts as he enters his junior year.

Still, with a potential first-round pick in Davis, the Crimson Tide hold the edge. The Tide continue to get some of the best defensive linemen in the nation and that will again be the case in 2018.

Linebackers

Starters lost: Alabama 2 (Rashaan Evans, Shaun Dion Hamilton); Georgia 4 (Roquan Smith, Davin Bellamy, Lorenzo Carter, Reggie Carter).

Key returnees: Alabama has a couple of potential stars in Mack Wilson and Dylan Moses ready to step up and fill the shoes of Evans and Hamilton. Anfernee Jennings, considered a potential early first-round pick, and Christian Miller are both back, too.

Georgia, meanwhile, was somewhat surprised to get D’Andre Walker back, but behind him, there’s not much experience. Walker (below) had 39 tackles (13.5 for a loss) and 5.5 sacks last season. Natrez Patrick may also return, but his status is still up in the air after some more legal troubles at the end of last season.

Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Who has the edge? Walker is the best returning linebacker of Georgia’s bunch, but behind him, the Dawgs will need unproven guys like Monty Rice to fill crucial roles.

Alabama, meanwhile, dealt with several injuries to the linebacking corps last year (Hamilton, Jennings and Miller among them). Those injuries hurt, but they also helped the team build depth at the position. Miller, Jennings, Moses and Wilson will be a fearsome unit this year, and for that reason, Alabama holds the edge at linebacker, too.

Secondary

Starters lost: Alabama 5 (Minkah Fitzpatrick, Levi Wallace, Anthony Averett, Ronnie Harrison, Tony Brown); Georgia 3 (Aaron Davis, Dominick Sanders, Malkom Parrish).

Key returnees: Alabama is basically starting from scratch, with Trevon Diggs and Deionte Thompson having the most experience.

The Bulldogs aren’t exactly returning a full unit either, but at least they have a star in Deandre Baker coming back to lead their secondary and another very talented player in J.R. Reed. Richard LeCounte III also saw some action last year.

Who has the edge? The Bulldogs gain the edge here simply because of Baker and Reed. LeCounte also played well and the coaching staff likes what it has seen from guys like Tyrique McGhee.

In addition to losing the five guys mentioned above, the Tide also lost Hootie Jones, so they’ll have to completely rebuild. Thompson and Diggs are slated to start at two of the four secondary spots, but guys like JUCO transfer Saivion Smith (an original LSU signee), Shyheim Carter and Xavier McKinney have to fill big roles.

Therefore, with guys like Baker and Reed returning to the mix, Georgia gets the edge.

Overall edge: Alabama

While Alabama might be more susceptible to the pass this season, the Tide are once again solid throughout the front seven.

The Bulldogs have more stability on the back end, but the linebacking corps lost a ton of experience. Both groups should be strong again in 2018, but the Tide will still strike more fear into their opponents than Georgia will.