SEC defensive player power rankings: Florida's Zach Carter moves up, Carolina's Kingsley Enagbare, A&M's Jayden Peevy enter

Nakobe Dean photo courtesy of Georgia athletics. 

Here's how we rate the top 14 defensive players in the SEC so far. Some is based on performance coming into this season and some based on performance this year; past performance will be eased out of the rankings as the year goes on and as the games become more significant (fewer FCS and bottom-feeding FBS teams). Stats are considered, as are PFF ratings. Tackle numbers include counting assists as half tackles. 

1. Will Anderson, LB, Alabama: Leads the league with 8.5 stops for loss as his legend continues to grow. 

2. Zach Carter, DL, Florida: Has been a force on the line of scrimmage in ways that transcend the numbers, which are good (seven tackles, 4.5 for loss). 

3. DeMarvin Leal, DL, Texas A&M: 10 tackles, 3.5 for loss. 

4. Lewis Cine, S, Georgia: A pick, four break-ups and 14 tackles.

5. Nakobe Dean, ILB, Georgia: Two sacks and six hurries for an elite defense. 

6. Derek Stingley, CB, LSU: An elite talent whom nobody throws on, but injuries are becoming an issue. 

7. Josh Paschal, DL, Kentucky: He's about as productive as any defensive linemen in the league (12 tackles, four for loss, six hurries). 

8. Phidarian Mathis, DL, Alabama: Grades well and puts him tackle totals (10) uncommon for a defensive lineman. 

9. Antonio Johnson, CB, Texas A&M: One of the highest-graded corners in the country; two pass break-ups this year. 

10. Jordan Davis, DL, Georgia: The Bulldogs didn't need him much in a 62-0 rout of Vanderbilt. 

11. Josh Jobe, CB, Alabama: Production's not been great and he's missed a game, but he's an elite talent. 

12. Kingsley Enagbare, DL, South Carolina: One of the league's best linemen coming into the year, and the production (11 tackles, three for loss) has really been there this season .

13. Christopher Smith, S, Georgia: Two picks, including the game-winner for a score against Clemson.

14. Jayden Peevy, DL, Texas A&M: He's on the field an unusual amount for a lineman, and he's producing across the board (nine tackles, three for loss, a pick and three break-ups).