The Jacksonville Jaguars cut ties with several key contributors in the offseason because they no longer fit their long-term vision. On the other hand, they're holding onto a handful of players in hopes of seeing them prove their worth. Linebacker Devin Lloyd is one of them. The fourth-year veteran is entering a contract season and will need to come through in 2025 if he wants to stick around. Based on his inclusion on a recent list, he may just pull it off.
Mason Cameron put together a list of the top 32 linebackers in the NFL ahead of the 2025 season and placed Lloyd at No. 7, pointing out that he's been a solid all-around player the past two years.
"Although the Jaguars opted not to pick up Lloyd's fifth-year option this offseason, he has showcased a solid all-around game, highlighted by his innate ability to fit the run," Cameron said. "Lloyd has finished in the top seven in PFF run-defense grade among qualifying linebackers in each of the past two seasons, charting a combined 91.0 mark — good for the 93rd percentile. That pairs well with his ability as a tackler, with his 88.0 PFF grade leading the NFL this past season."
Nobody will deny that Lloyd has been a stud against the run. The issue is that he's lacking in the playmaking department, having logged just one takeaway the past two years. On top of that, the California native struggles in coverage. If this were the NFL in the 1980s, that wouldn't be an issue, but well-rounded linebackers these days must excel against the run and the pass.
In fact, you could make the case that Foyesade Oluokun should've made the cut over Lloyd even if he got a lower spot. He's the more well-rounded of the two and a locker room leader. On a related note, it's also telling that the new regime wasted no time picking up Travon Walker's fifth-year option but declined his.
Make no mistake, Lloyd will get a fresh start with head coach Liam Coen and may be able to at last put it all together. But there's an equal chance he won't. That's precisely why the Jags may feel comfortable letting him play out his rookie deal.
In case you were wondering, Fred Warner, Zack Baun, Bobby Wagner, Roquan Smith, Dre Greenlaw, and Bobby Okereke were the only linebackers who got a higher spot on PFF's top-32 list.
Devin Lloyd is entering a crucial year with the Jaguars
Even though the Jacksonville Jaguars already parted ways with several players the past regime signed, they could make further moves before the start of the regular season. Along with Travis Etienne, Devin Lloyd has been the subject of trade chatter. Dealing him wouldn't be unrealistic when you take into account that fellow linebacker Ventrell Miller outplayed him last year and the team's brass brought in the promising Jack Kiser this past April.
If placed on the trade block, Lloyd would most definitely garner interest from teams in need of help at linebacker. Conversely, the Jags could hold onto him and have him compete with Miller and Kiser. Then again, they would be hyped up if the former first-round pick does come out on top and ends up having a banner year.
The bottom line is that Devin Lloyd could turn out to be a late bloomer, which is why 2025 will prove to be a pivotal year for him.
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