A 16-year streak of Nick Saban putting out an Alabama football depth chart ended on Monday.

Citing player distractions, the Crimson Tide has opted instead to focus on Middle Tennessee and the season opener on Sept. 2 in Bryant-Denny Stadium.

“It creates a lot of guys thinking that, well, this guy won the job now and I’m not going to play or whatever. And quite frankly, we don’t need that,” Saban said.

Here’s what I would’ve predicted the two-deep to look like ahead of game week.

Offense

QB: First string – Jalen Milroe; Second string – Ty Simpson or Dylan Lonergan; Third string – Tyler Buchner

Experience will win out in Week 1 and Alabama will go with someone who’s won a game for the Tide before. Milroe needs to show the consistency he’s displayed in practices and limit turnovers. If I had to bet on it, Alabama will be up big in the second half, allowing for Simpson and Lonergan to get some snaps. No surprise, but this competition isn’t over.

RB: Jase McClellan or Roydell Williams; Justice Haynes; Jam Miller; Richard Young

The senior duo of McClellan and Williams flashed behind Jahmyr Gibbs a year ago and should make a formidable one-two punch in the backfield. The underclassmen duo of Haynes and Miller are interesting pieces to watch, either on special teams or as late-game players attempting to push for more playing time.

LT: Kadyn Proctor; Elijah Pritchett

LG: Tyler Booker, Terrence Ferguson II

C: Seth McLaughlin; Darrian Dalcourt; Terrence Ferguson II

RG: Darrian Dalcourt; Terrence Ferguson II; Jaeden Roberts

RT: JC Latham, Wilkin Formby

Switching Booker to left guard should make for a more balanced line as Proctor adjusts to left tackle, theory anyway. It’s not often a freshman starts at that spot for Nick Saban, but Proctor will have that opportunity against the Blue Raiders. Elsewhere, veteran experience reigns with Latham anchoring the unit from the right side. It’ll have to watch pre-snap penalties, but this group should maul.

WR1: Ja’Corey Brooks, Jermaine Burton, Kobe Prentice or Isaiah Bond

WR2: Isaiah Bond, Malik Benson, Kendrick Law

There’s no surefire star currently, but there’s potential among the underclassmen. The key will be limiting drops which plagued the group a year ago and was referenced as an issue in camp. Bond and Benson seem capable of the explosive plays this offense will look to create.

TE: CJ Dippre or Amari Niblack; Danny Lewis or Miles Kitsleman; Robbie Ouzts

There’s variety with the tight ends and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees should be able to feature their skills well. The pass-catching ability of Niblack and Lewis can elevate them further through non-conference play.

Defense

DL1: Tim Smtih, Jaheim Oatis and Justin Eboigbe

DL2: Tim Keenan or Jah-Marien Latham; Damon Payne

There are enough reserves along Alabama’s defensive front that defensive coordinator Kevin Steele can rotate bodies if he wants. That should help keep starters like Oatis and Eboigbe healthy. Keenan had a good camp, per Saban, and should factor in somehow.

OLB: Dallas Turner and Chris Braswell; Quandarrius Robinson and Jeremiah Alexander

ILB: Deontae Lawson, Trezmen Marshall or Jihaad Campbell; Justin Jefferson, Kendrick Blackshire, Shawn Murphy

Turner and Braswell must generate pressure and there’s little doubt they won’t be able to do that. Their backups will need to show some upside for the next couple of seasons. The only question with the inside linebackers is who starts next to Lawson, the transfer from Georgia or the athletic sophomore. It may be match-up based depending on an offense’s run and pass tendencies.

CB: Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold; Trey Amos

S: Caleb Downs and Jaylen Key; DeVonta Smith and Kristian Story

Star: Malachi Moore; Earl Little

Moore, Key and Arnold each have the potential to bounce around the secondary, which has been an emphasis for the Tide following last season. Like the running back room, there’s a lot of depth with the defensive backs. They’ll need to force more turnovers regardless of which pairings are on the field. Expect McKinstry and Moore to get the most snaps.

Special Teams

K: Will Reichard; Conor Talty

P: James Burnip

LS: Kneeland Hibbett

PR: Kool-Aid McKinstry; Isaiah Bond

KR: Kendrick Law and Emmanuel Henderson; Justice Haynes and Cole Adams

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].