Even after losing Devin Lloyd in free agency, the Jacksonville Jaguars have a well-rounded linebacker corps. Foyesade Oluokun remains a mainstay of the defense, and Ventrell Miller will get a shot to start next to him. On top of that, linebacker Dennis Gardeck is back in Duval after signing a two-year deal just before the teampering period. Behind that trio, Rayuan Layne, Jack Kiser, and Yasir Abdullah provide depth.
But despite the surplus of talent, the Jags could still add reinforcements at linebacker in the draft. They may not do it in the early rounds, but they could most definitely invest one or even two picks on Day 3. And if they do, Colby Taylor may be a realistic choice.
The Jaguars met with Colby Taylor at the West Florida Pro Day
Easton Butler of Packer Report posted on Twitter that the Jaguars met with Colby Taylor at his pro day, adding that he tested incredibly well in the NFL combine. Specifically, he was first in the 10-yard slit, the three-cone drill, the shuttle, and the bench press among linebackers.
At 250 pounds, he would give the Jags a linebacker prospect who can play standup linebacker or line up with his hand on the ground. On the other hand, the West Florida Argonaut needs to hone his hand usage. There's also a question about whether he can make the leap from Division II to the NFL, as he will encounter a steep difference in the level of competition.
And precisely because Taylor is coming off a Division II program, you won't see him pop off in mock drafts often. In fact, he could either be a Day 3 pick or go undrafted. Either way, the Jags are making sure to do their homework in case they're in a position to take him.
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Why adding Colby Taylor or another LB in Round 3 makes sense
There's no doubt that landing a linebacker prospect like Anthony Hill Jr. or even Jacob Rodriguez in Round 2 would be huge, as either one could fill the void left by Devin Lloyd's departure. Having said that, the Jaguars have bigger needs than linebacker. In particular, they need to make upgrades at defensive tackle and the pass rush. Heck, nobody would bat an eye if they invest two or three picks on Day 2 to bolster the defensive trenches.
But once the Jags take care of their most pressing needs, they could easily use one or two draft picks at linebacker. After all, Ventrell Miller is slated to become a free agent in 2027, and it's hard to tell whether Jack Kiser can make a leap in Year 2.
Granted, it would be far-fetched to expect Colby Taylor or any other players the Jaguars draft on Day 3 to be playmakers. Instead, he would be an intriguing talent worth developing. That's probably why they did their due diligence at the West Florida Pro Day.