SEC Unfiltered: 1 thing each team needs in the transfer portal

Welcome to SEC Unfiltered, the USA TODAY NETWORK's daily newsletter on SEC football. Today, trending writer Nick Gray takes over:

The transfer portal is open for business, and all 14 SEC teams should be adding and subtracting players over the next few months.

There will be some teams (like Alabama adding a quality running back to its stable) that will add to parts of the roster that are already strong. But the most important thing for most teams will be to boost the weaker parts of the depth chart.

Let's go through the biggest need for all 14 programs.

Alabama — Eli Ricks

The Tide needed some experienced cornerback help and got it last week via the LSU transfer corner Eli Ricks. Naturally, the Tide are one of the first teams to settle their biggest 2022 need before even getting through this year's College Football Playoff.

Arkansas — Wide receiver

None of the other Razorbacks receivers established as a legitimate No. 2 option behind Treylon Burks, and Burks is now headed to the NFL.

Auburn — Quarterback

Bo Nix is gone, TJ Finley is heading into his third season as an SEC quarterback with little resume success and there is no obvious young option on the roster. Auburn may need to make a big swing at quarterback more so than any other SEC program this offseason.

Florida — A playmaker

The Gators need to be able to lean on an all-conference level playmaker while the roster gets retooled. Florida was around league average in explosive play rate in 2021.

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Georgia — Maybe a front-seven piece?

What do you get to add to the most talented roster in the country? Presuming 5-star freshman Brock Vandagriff ends up winning the QB job if JT Daniels leaves, it wouldn't hurt Georgia to add some experience to the front seven depth chart given how much it loses. Even then, the two-deep will be filled with top-100 recruits.

Kentucky — A pass rusher

Josh Paschal is headed for the NFL, and the Wildcats needed more consistent pass rush anyway. Maybe two defenders, one outside and one inside, will be needed.

LSU — Offensive line help

The Tigers were among the least explosive teams in the SEC despite a skill group and QB play that could have done better. Why? LSU allowed the second most sacks in the league and allowed a QB pressure on one of every three drop backs.

Mississippi State — Defensive line disruptor

It's odd to see Mississippi State not have a top defensive line prospect after a decade of guys like Chris Jones, Montez Sweat and Jeffery Simmons. MSU had 26 sacks a year ago, with senior Tyrus Wheat leading the team with 7 1/2 sacks.

Missouri — Defensive back that is starter-caliber

This was a nice way to say that the Tigers were one of the worst Power 5 defenses in the country last year. Eliah Drinkwitz is still dealing with depth issues that pre-dates his hire, especially in the defensive backfield. A plug-and-play player or two has to be an objective this offseason.

Ole Miss — Quarterback

Lane Kiffin has no obvious heir to Matt Corral on the roster, and even if 2021 backup Luke Altmyer eventually wins the job, he needs a veteran backup.

South Carolina — Spencer Rattler, apparently

The Gamecocks had to figure out the QB position, and they have for now and in the future. Shane Beamer got Oklahoma transfer quarterback Spencer Rattler to transfer in and signed 4-star quarterback Tanner Bailey. Any type of stability is needed under center.

Tennessee — A defensive back or two

The Vols were 12th in points allowed per game and 13th in passing yards allowed in 2021, but didn't give up a ton of explosive plays and were able to rush the passer. Still, a veteran secondary is likely to lose a few key contributors, like cornerback Alontae Taylor.

Texas A&M — Quarterback

Zach Calzada has gone into the transfer portal, and whether Haynes King is available or not, the Aggies need an upgrade at the position to do what they want to do. The Aggies have yet to have a truly dynamic quarterback to build a high-powered offense around. (Apologies to Kellen Mond, who was a good quarterback in his own right.)

Vanderbilt — Pass rushers

The Commodores had nine sacks in 12 games in 2021. That cannot continue. Vandy has a lot of needs, but defensive disruption is atop the list.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: SEC Unfiltered: 1 thing each team needs in the transfer portal