The Jacksonville Jaguars didn't make many significant additions to their linebacker corps in the offseason aside from Jack Kiser. Then again, they didn't have to. They already had a solid core in place, and an NFL analyst seems to agree based on how high he ranked the unit.
Dan Fornek of FTN Fantasy ranked all 32 NFL linebacker units ahead of the regular season and placed the Jags at No. 5, citing Devin Lloyd's improvement and Foyesade Oluokun's steady play as the main reasons.
"Jacksonville is the first four-down front in these rankings thanks to Devin Lloyd's ascension as a three-down linebacker," Fornek wrote. "Lloyd played in 16 games in 2024, leading the Jaguars in tackles (113) while adding 2.0 sacks and four passes defensed. He now has back-to-back seasons with a PFF grade above 76.0, a run defense grade above 84.0 and a coverage grade above 62.0."
Fornek continued, "He forms a formidable duo with veteran Foyesade Oluokun, who finished second on the Jaguars in tackles in 2024 (108) despite playing in just 13 games. Since joining Jacksonville in 2022, he's logged 465 tackles, 5.5 sacks and two interceptions."
Later in his breakdown, Fornek argues that Jacksonville has solid depth with Ventrell Miller, Chad Muma, and Kiser in the mix. What he fails to mention is that Lloyd is entering a contract season and may need to compete to keep his starting job next to Oluokun.
Sure, Lloyd has been more consistent than he was early in his NFL career. Similarly, he excels at stopping the run. However, the former Utah Ute struggles when he drops in coverage. On the other hand, Miller is equally stout against the run and was arguably better last year, so he could push him in training camp.
Kiser, on the other hand, isn't nearly as athletic as Lloyd but is equally adept at stopping the run and blitzing the quarterback. He probably won't compete for a starting job in 2025 but could pass Chad Muma on the depth chart.
Foyesade Oluokun highlights a talented Jaguars LB unit
What stands out about the Jaguars' linebackers group is that, as talented as it is, it left much to be desired last year, and most of its issues derived from former defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen.
In his lone season in Jacksonville, Nielsen turned players off with his arrogant demeanor. On top of that, he had several players either playing out of position or adding unnecessary weight. Not surprisingly, the Jags had one of the worst defenses in the NFL last year. That should change after the arrival of Anthony Campanile, who'll surely simplify things and let players be more instinctive.
Concidentally, Hays Carlyon of 1010 XL believes that Oluokun will be one of the biggest beneficiaries of Campanile's arrival. He said as much in a recent exchange with colleague Mia O'Brien.
"Big time year coming for Foye Oluokun, and again, somebody that was having a great run as a Jaguar, leading the NFL in tackles, right at the top of the list every year that he's here," Carlyn said when asked which player is poised to bounce back in 2025. "And then, Ryan Nielsen arrives and decides we're going to play him at a different position. And Foye was also hurt. He had the wrist injury. He had a sports hernia injury that he was playing through. So [he's] healthier now, getting ready to turn 30 years old later this year. So right in the prime of his career."
Carlyon continued, "Obviously, a very cerebral player, and he's somebody now back at his natural position. Yeah, you hope that what's missing for Foye, and by his own admission, is the really big plays. So we'll see if he can generate those this season. He has five and a half sacks as a Jaguar. Can he give them three sacks this year and a couple of interceptions, a couple forced fumbles, a fumble recovery?"
"That's what's been missing, but the tackles and the consistent production from Foye there. So again, somebody that's now being asked to do his most natural thing, I think it's going to be a big benefit for the defense, and for Foye Oluokun."
All things considered, Carlyon makes some valid points about Oluokun. And applying the same logic, Lloyd and the rest of the linebacker corps should also be better in 2025.
If that's the outcome, the Jaguars' linebacker unit could be ranked even higher next year, and nobody will bat an eye.
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