From last year's defense, Auburn lost right tackle Roderick Chambers, middle linebacker Alex Lincoln and cornerbacks Larry Casher and Rodney Crayton, among others. The loss of Lincoln, the team's leading tackler, is no small thing, but the talent returning is strong. He averaged 43.2 yards a punt and nailed 14 of 18 field goals with a long of 49. Deep and fast defensive front. McNeil is one of the SEC's top run-stoppers.
Linebackers look very good, too.
Both the passing game and running game must be restocked with talent, so opposing defenses will tee off on whoever is taking the snaps. The defense could be dominant, and it better be. Receiver Ronney Daniels, gone. Fullback Heath Evans, gone. Evans went in the third round, surprisingly ahead of Johnson, who was picked in the fourth.