Jonathan Allen and Dalvin Tomlinson went in this April's draft.
A'Shawn Robinson and Jarran Reed were selected a year earlier.
That's four top-55 draft picks in two years from Alabama's defensive line. All but Robinson were seniors -- a good thing when you consider the length of service, but it leaves a gulf in the wake.
After claiming the nation's top defensive front leading to consecutive trips to the national title game, questions surround the unit. The main one: Depth.
"I think there are obviously some talented players there that haven't played a lot," Nick Saban said. "Those guys are going to have to develop consistency in performance. One of the goals we had coming out of spring practice, we wanted to make some improvement in consistency up front. I think the players have the capability of doing it. We have a lot of new faces there. This camp is going to be real critical for how those guys develop and the consistency that they play with."
A few key pieces return in Da'Ron Payne and Da'Shawn Hand. Joshua Frazier is a senior with three years of reserve experience. Raekwon Davis got some action as a true freshman while Quinnen Williams -- who Allen said to watch moving forward -- redshirted. Newcomers include JUCO transfer Isaiah Buggs and five-star freshman LaBryan Ray.
Starting offensive lineman Ross Pierschbacher has played across from the last two stacked defensive lines. The differences are few in what he's seen so far.
"Just new faces," he said after the first fall practice Thursday. "All those guys are talented. They've done a really good job this offseason taking new roles. We've still got some veterans on there so they know what to expect. It's just more of building depth at that defensive line position and having the young guys come along. There's no lack of talent there for sure."
Shaun Dion Hamilton doesn't disagree.
Returning from his ACL injury at middle linebacker, the effectiveness of the line will go a long way toward making his job easier. He's quick to point out how the past few defenses built their identity around controlling the point of attack -- setting the tone up front and the rest followed.
The talent lost to the NFL isn't a worry for him.
"We're Bama," Hamilton said bluntly. "We just reload. Everybody is going to embrace the challenge."