I could have easily picked the top 20 defensive linemen in the SEC this year and it’s why players like Caleb Brantley, Davon Godchaux, Daeshon Hall, Darius English and others didn’t make the final cut.

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It’s a banner year for pass rushers in the conference and I wouldn’t be shocked to see at least 5-7 defensive lineman get drafted in the first round next year.

10. Deatrich Wise, DE, Arkansas, Jr.: As the Razorbacks’ defense improved last season, Wise stepped up his game. He finished with eight sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss, both team highs. If he can put together a strong season from start to finish, the Razorbacks will be a better team for it.

9. Terry Beckner Jr., DT, Missouri, Soph.: While Brantley has some concerns about his consistency, Beckner’s only issue will be recovering from a knee injury that may slow him down in 2016. If Beckner is healthy and the knee doesn’t affect his quick moves on the interior, he should have a field day on the line with Charles Harris.

8. Cece Jefferson, DE/DT, Florida, Soph: Whereas teammate Caleb Brantley needs to work on his consistency (which left him off the list), Jefferson makes the list based on the fact that he has a motor that doesn’t stop. The worry about a highly-touted prospect like Jefferson is that they are so used to winning battles on talent alone that they get frustrated. But Jefferson proved as a freshman that he does not give up on plays. As a full-time starter in 2016 I expect a YUGE season.

7. Lewis Neal, DE/DT, LSU, Sr.: I am actually much more interested in Neal’s future as an investor and entrepreneur than what he is doing on the football field. But he’s pretty good in that area as well as he led the Tigers with eight sacks last season. A fierce competitor and a rising star off the field, he worked with a local business owner to provide free haircuts for military personnel and first responders in an effort to bring some positivity to Baton Rouge after a tumultuous time this summer. Consider me a charter member of the Lewis Neal fan club.

6. Marquis Haynes, DE, Ole Miss, Jr.: Haynes has been a star at Ole Miss since his Freshman All-American season in 2014. He not only gets double-digit sacks but also makes tackles, leading all SEC defensive linemen last season and showing a motor that makes up for any technical shortcomings he might have.

Oct 18, 2014; Oxford, MS, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Justin Worley (14) is tackled by Mississippi Rebels defensive end Marquis Haynes (27) during the game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. The Mississippi Rebels defeated the Tennessee Volunteers 34-3. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports

5. Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee, Jr.: Another high effort guy that has seen the results. Barnett’s sack total (20 in two seasons) gets a lot of notice and rightfully so but it’s his ability to hold contain in the running game that catches my eye because that shows that Barnett can also play with discipline. As a pass rusher the fact that he’s approaching Reggie White’s career sack total at Tennessee speaks for itself.

4. Jonathan Allen, DE/DT, Alabama, Jr.: It’s a bit of a surprise that Allen is even playing college football given the likelihood of him being a first-round pick last year, but no one in Tuscaloosa will complain. Allen had 12 sacks last year and uses more technique than most of the players on this list. Like Barnett, Allen plays with discipline against the run and can cause havoc from the interior as well.

Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) is pressured by Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Jonathan Allen (93) in the first quarter in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

3. Carl Lawson, DE, Auburn, Jr.: Lawson looked like a lion out of a cage in Auburn’s spring game. He was completely unblockable and consistently shoved a solid Tigers offensive line into the backfield. Health is his issue, as he’s missed 18 games in the past two seasons. But if he’s healthy in 2016 he will be a candidate for All-American. He’s just that good.

2. Charles Harris, DE, Missouri, Jr.: Missouri seems to have a cloning machine when it comes to their defensive ends and Harris is on the high side because he’s a little bigger (6-3, 255) than the others who have come through Columbia in the recent years. He’s a natural athlete and was a three-sport star (football, basketball, track) in high school, so just his athleticism alone gives offensive linemen more trouble than they want. Add in his growing knowledge of the position and you have a tough competitor.

1. Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M, Jr.: The other guys on this list are very good, but no one can touch Garrett’s ability to get to the passer and frustrate the heck out of every lineman who thinks they can match up with him. Garrett does so many things well from his speed-to-power transition, his backside pursuit and getting rid of those pesky blockers. Trying to defend him one-on-one is the equivalent of sacrificing your quarterback.