When the Jacksonville Jaguars traded back into the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft to select Devin Lloyd, they did it because they thought he was a game-changer at linebacker. It took him a bit of time to meet expectations, but the former Utah Uta has at last become the player the organization envisioned. His inclusion on a recent All-Pro list is proof of it.
Gordon McGuinness of Pro Football Focus put together a first-quarter All-Pro team, and Lloyd got a first-team designation. He was one of three Jaguars to make the cut, and understandably so.
The fourth-year linebacker has logged four turnovers to start the season, a career-best three interceptions, and a fumble recovery. Moreover, his Pro Football Focus overall grade of 91.0 is the best among Jacksonville defenders.
If that wasn't enough, Lloyd was just named AFC Player of the Week after registering eight tackles (six solo), two interceptions, and a tackle for a loss in the win over the San Francisco 49ers.
. @DevinLloyd_ has been named AFC Defensive Player of the Week after producing eight tackles (six solo), two interceptions and a tackle for loss in Week 4. Lloyd is the only player in the NFL this season and in franchise history to reach each of those marks in a single game. His… https://t.co/bPAwNNn5Wz
— JaguarsPR (@JaguarsPR) October 1, 2025
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Why Devin Lloyd is having success with the Jaguars this season
Devin Lloyd got off to a strong start to his NFL career, registering two interceptions and six passes defensed the first three games. That said, he quickly cooled down and struggled so badly that he eventually was benched. The Kansas City, Missouri native got back into the starting lineup in 2023 and showed more consistency. On the other hand, he didn't make any game-changing plays and struggled in coverage.
Lloyd kept improving last season, but not nearly enough. He developed into an excellent run stopper but still had a hard time defending the pass. Not surprisingly, the time came, and the new regime declined the fifth-year option on his rookie deal early in 2025. That may have served him as motivation to put it all together.
It also helps that the defense has undergone a turnaround with Anthony Campanile taking the reins. His unit is among the best in the league at creating takeaways, and several players have seen a notable improvement. Lloyd believes it all starts in practice.
"I mean, I think it starts with practice. You know, we always practice taking the ball away, punching the ball out, you know, catching the ball," Lloyd told the local media when asked why Jacksonville excels at generating turnovers (6:38 mark). " Everybody always has the ball in their mind. And I think whenever you're thinking about it all the time, naturally, you know, those plays and those opportunities, you'll be ready for it whenever they present themselves."
Lloyd is peaking at the right time. He's scheduled to become a free agent in 2026. And he continues to play at such a high level, he will give the Jags a difficult decision in the upcoming months.
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