Eagles could gift-wrap the Jaguars the perfect Devin Lloyd replacement

With the Jacksonville Jaguars gearing up for free agency, the question doesn't seem to be whether they'll be able to keep linebacker Devin Lloyd, but rather how they're going to try to overcome his departure. 2023 fourth-round pick Ventrell Miller gives them an in-house replacement ready to step in. That said, the Jags may not want to hand him the starting job, so bringing in someone to compete is a realistic possibility.

Jacob Rodriguez would be an enticing option in Round 2 of the NFL Draft, but given that Jacksonville has more pressing needs on defense, the team's brass might not want to add reinforcements at linebacker early until Day 3.

This begs the question, how could the Jags bolster their linebacker corps? The answer may lie in free agency.

The Jaguars may want to look into Nakobe Dean to replace Devin Lloyd

This will be a good year to find an off-linebacker in free agency. Aside from Devin Lloyd, Quay Walker, Devin Bush, Leo Chenal, and Nakobe Dean are scheduled to hit the open market.

Lloyd and Bush will likely garner the most interest of the bunch, but that doesn't mean the rest of their peers are pushovers. In fact, Dean may turn out to a cheaper alternative for teams facing cap constraints. That includes the Jags, who are currently $15.9 million over the cap.

A first-round pick in the 2022 draft, Dean has appeared in 47 games with 27 starts for the Philadelphia Eagles, registering 226 total tackles, three forced fumbles, and 7.5 sacks. The issue is that injuries have forced him to miss 21 contests the past three years.

But if the former Georgia Bulldog manages to stay healthy, he could be a playmaker for whichever teams he joins. Moreover, he would be significantly cheaper than Lloyd, who's projected to earn an annual average of between $16 million and $20 million in the open market.

Meanwhile, Spotrac has a market valuation of $7.9 million per year for Dean. Again, he carries injury red flags, but he could be worth the risk.

And in case you were wondering, the Eagles have plenty of pending free agents to take care of, including Jaelan Phillips, Jalen Carter, and Jordan Davis. That could make it challenging to retain Dean, which is why he's expected to be available in the open market.

Why the Jaguars may pivot to Nakoby Dean in free agency

If the Jaguars let Devin Lloyd walk, it won't be because they don't want him, but rather because they won't be able to meet his salary demands. That doesn't mean that his departure won't leave a void next to Foyesade Oluokun.

Ventrell Miller has flashed whenever he's been thrust into action, but if the team's brass frees up enough space, Nakobe Dean would most definitely be someone to consider in free agency. On the other hand, defensive tackle, cornerback, and the pass rush are bigger needs for Jacksonville, so nobody would bat an eye if the team's brass prioritizes any of those positions.

Of course, the Jaguars probably won't be the only team that may keep close tabs on Nakobe Dean. Like Devin Lloyd, he'll be a hot commodity in free agency, but if they can, they shouldn't hesitate to make a push for him.