The Jacksonville Jaguars are poised for significant changes as the NFL free agency period begins on March 9 at noon, opening the legal tampering window. Among the Jaguars’ important players reaching free agency are linebacker Devin Lloyd and running back Travis Etienne, both expected to explore options in the market. The possible loss of Lloyd, a second-team All-Pro, would be particularly damaging given his outstanding performance during the 2025 season.
Devin Lloyd’s Elite Blitzing Ability
Pro Football Focus recently ranked Devin Lloyd as the top blitzer among NFL linebackers in the 2025 season. Despite finishing with the third-most pressures among linebackers, Lloyd’s role was distinguished by his efficiency and versatility, especially when compared to edge defenders who rush the passer far more frequently.
Lloyd finished the season with the third-most pressures of any linebacker, but the two players listed ahead of him moonlighted as edge defenders and rushed the passer almost twice as often. Lloyd finished off his season with three pressures on five blitzing snaps against Josh Allen in the wild-card round, improving his already-strong pressure rate up to 27.2% for the season,
Pro Football Focus reported.
Though Lloyd accumulated only one sack on 103 pass-rushing attempts, his impact extended beyond sacks.
However, Lloyd still impacted the psyche of his opposition, scoring nine quarterback hits — the most of any NFL player not on the defensive line. As good as Lloyd was as a pass-rusher, he graded out even better as a run defender, and his coverage grade remained pretty impressive, thanks to five total interceptions. Lloyd closed out the season with PFF’s second-highest overall grade among eligible linebackers behind Detroit Lions’ Jack Campbell.
The Unique Role Lloyd Plays in the Jaguars’ Defense
Devin Lloyd represents a rare combination of athleticism and versatility at the linebacker position, enabling the Jaguars to deploy him in various defensive roles. He can function as a run defender on base downs and switch to blitzing or pass coverage when the situation demands. This adaptability contributed to his rise as a standout performer since entering the league as a first-round pick in 2022 after excelling at Utah.
His true potential came to full fruition during the 2025 season, and Jacksonville’s defensive scheme maximized his strengths. Losing Lloyd would leave a substantial void that might be difficult to fill with a direct replacement.
Challenges in Replacing Lloyd Highlighted by Coaching Staff
Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile emphasized how central Lloyd has been to the team’s early success this season, acknowledging the linebacker’s rare skill set and the problems it causes opposing offenses.
“Yeah, Dev’s a big part of everything we were able to do early in the year because when I was talking about him in the past, there was more—I think Devin really is just capable of doing a lot of things, whether it’s the pass coverage, the pass rush, playing in the box as a linebacker and then playing on the ball is really just a unique skillset set that way,”
Campanile said during the season.
“So, it gives us a little bit more in terms of options, things that you can do. And he definitely presents some problems for the offense, for sure.”
Implications for the Jaguars’ Defensive Future
The possible departure of Devin Lloyd could significantly disrupt the Jaguars’ defensive strategy, which has relied heavily on his dynamic playmaking abilities. As free agency approaches, Jacksonville’s front office faces the challenge of either re-signing Lloyd or finding new talent capable of replicating his multifaceted impact. With scarce players matching his blend of pass-rushing, coverage, and run-stopping skills, the team may need to adjust its defensive approach if Lloyd moves on.
The next few weeks will be crucial for the Jaguars as they navigate this pivotal offseason period, aiming to maintain competitive edge while addressing critical roster changes potentially affecting their defense’s identity and performance.
