COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri Tigers are in the midst of their second bye week, fresh off arguably their best defensive performance of the season, holding an efficient Vanderbilt Commodores offense to 17 points. 

They'll take on a high-powered Texas A&M offense next, followed by three more Southeastern Conference opponents: Mississippi State, Oklahoma and Arkansas. 

Now at a second break in the season, there's room for evaluation. Here's one thought for each position group during Missouri's Week 10 bye. 

EDGE

The best playmakers on the team reside here.

Zion Young and Damon Wilson II have shown their ability to break through the backfield – bringing the quarterback down and knocking the ball loose throughout the season. They've been the source of most negative yardage plays for Missouri's defense, coming through in big moments. 

Now, they've taken over the role of defensive backs, as Wilson hauled in a tip drill interception against Vanderbilt, setting the Tigers up in scoring position for what should've been their easiest drive of the day. 

Wilson and Young have now combined for 11.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and an interception on the season.

DEFENSIVE TACKLES

Doing their job on run defense. 

Excluding an 80-yard outside rush from MK Young, Vanderbilt ran for just 56 yards as a team. Missouri's defensive tackle unit was up front and active, holding Commodore carriers to just 2.9 yards per carry on interior runs. 

Chris McClellan, Sterling Webb and Marquis Gracial have solidified themselves as a quality trio up the middle. 

LINEBACKERS

Josiah Trotter is everywhere. 

Trotter logged a team-high nine tackles against the Commodores, three of which were solo. His averaged depth of tackle was just two yards from the line of scrimmage. Trotter flies around the field making stops from all areas, both in run defense and pass coverage. 

The standout sophomore has become an invaluable addition to the Tigers' defense, leading one of the top linebacker groups in the SEC. 

CORNERBACKS

A weak link is being attacked.

Stephen Hall allowed three receptions for 61 yards on just four targets against Vanderbilt Saturday. No other Missouri defensive back allowed more than 19 yards. 

Hall was brought in as a stable veteran presence who could line up on all areas of the field, but he's struggled in recent SEC play. Depth options like Nicholas Deloach and Cameron Keys haven't got much burn this season, but it might be time for a shakeup. 

SAFETIES

Jalen Catalon has been phased out, and it's understandable as to why. 

Catalon was brought to Missouri for his final season of college football with high expectations. He's put together a lengthy career highlight reel of big hits and explosive plays. He's brought some of that to Missouri, but not to the level many expected. 

He's effective against the run, which was Vanderbilt's strong suit. Despite this, he played a season-low eight snaps against the Commodores.

He has woes in pass coverages, leading Santana Banner and Marvin Burks Jr. as more reliable options in coverage. He's a good run defender, but not good enough to warrant snaps in the box over stud linebackers like Josiah Trotter and Khalil Jacobs. 

Catalon's caught in the middle of two spots, and seems to have lost a high-usage role in Corey Batoon's defense.