4 Jaguars whose stock went up in vindicating win amid Robert Saleh accusation

There were several intriguing headlines surrounding the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 4, but out of nowhere, San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh raised the stakes when he accused head coach Liam Coen and his staff of stealing signals. He later said that there was nothing wrong with the practice, but if that was the case, why even bring it up?

The point is that Coen didn't mince words after the 26-21 win, letting Saleh know how he felt about the remarks. And he was in a position to do so because the Jags showed up and proved that they were the better team in Week 4.

Sure, Coen's coaching played a massive role in ending the five-game losing streak against San Francisco. That said, a handful of players also deserve praise for coming through when called upon.

With that in mind, here are four Jaguars who saw their stock up in the vindicating Week 4 win.

Devin Lloyd, Jaguars linebacker

Linebacker Devin Lloyd keeps seeing his stock soar after having the fifth-year option on his rookie deal earlier this year. He might have used that as a motivation, as he looks like a whole different player under defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile, quickly turning into the difference-maker the Jags envisioned when they drafted him 27th overall in 2022.

Against the 49ers, the former Utah Ute logged three pressures and registered two interceptions, giving him three for the season. On top of that, he posted a Pro Football Focus grade of 90.1, the highest score among Jaguars defenders.

Lloyd now has a career-best four takeaways in the season with 13 games to go. If the Jaguars didn't plan to re-sign Lloyd after 2025, they're surely having second thoughts now.

Arik Armstead, Jaguars defensive tackle

There's no way to sugarcoat it: Arik Armstead was a disappointment in 2024, logging a measly two sacks in 17 games. That's certainly not the kind of production the Jags expected when they gave him a three-year, $43.5 million contract. Part of the reason the former Oregon Duck struggled was that he mostly played on the edge instead of his more familiar defensive tackle spot.

The good news is that Armstead is back inside under Anthony Campanile, and his impact is noticeable. Already, he has more sacks in four games (2.5) than he had last year. And against his former team, he registered the strip sack that ultimately sealed the win.

Travis Etienne, Jaguars runningback

What's not to say that hasn't been discussed about Travis Etienne? After being the subject of trade speculation in the offseason, he's quickly proving how much of a game-changer he is, tallying 394 yards with two touchdowns this season. In Week 4, he put the team on his shoulder on his way to a 124-yard performance.

Like Devin Lloyd, Etienne is quickly proving on a contract year that he deserves to be paid. Whether that happens with Jacksonville or somewhere else remains to be seen.

Parker Washington, Jaguars returner

Part of the reason the Jaguars traded Christian Kirk and cut Devin Duvernay in the offseason is that they believed Parker Washington could fill in their roles. So far, he's validated the team's trust.

Although Washington didn't have a catch against the 49ers, he did have a huge return for a touchdown that ultimately was key to the win.

In light of Dyami Brown's absence, Parker Washingtonn delivered, and then some.

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