The Jacksonville Jaguars underwent a roster overhaul in the offseason. They now have ample depth and talent to challenge the Houston Texans for the division crown next season.
On top of that, the Jags have the foundation to compete for a roster spot in the upcoming years. A recent list of 2026 free agents is proof of it.
Jaguars LB Devin Lloyd appeared on the top free agents list
Gregg Rosenthal of NFL Media compiled a list of the top 25 players set to become free agents next year and included Devin Lloyd, pointing out that the former Utah Ute has shown notable improvement last year. Here's the skinny.
"Lloyd improved greatly in Year 3," Rosenthal wrote. "This league is short on linebackers who can stay on the field, and he should be peaking in time for his next contract."
And that's it. That's the only Jaguar who made the cut, and that's a good thing.
Related: Urban Meyer should've listened to his own advice during his failed stint with the Jags
The Jaguars won't miss Devin Lloyd if he leaves in 2026
In previous years, the Jaguars didn't do a good job of hoarding talent and replenishing the roster. That's why you didn't hear about many of their players being hot commodities in the open market, the exceptions being probably defensive end Arden Key and right tackle Jawaan Taylor.
That Devin Lloyd is the only notable Jaguars player who is scheduled to hit the open market goes on to show that the organization has managed to lock up its homegrown talent, and former general manager Trent Baalke deserves some of the credit.
For all his flaws and blunders, Baalke gave long-term extensions to Trevor Lawrence, Walker Little, Tyson Campbell, Foyesade Oluokun, and Josh Hines-Allen. With them locked up, the new regime was able to turn to the draft to address the larger scale roster.
Circling back to Lloyd, Jacksonville won't bat an eye if he leaves because it has built a well-rounded linebacker corps and can withstand his potential departure. Heck, he's currently listed as No. 3 on the depth chart behind Oluokun and Ventrell Miller.
Make no mistake, Lloyd excels at stopping the role, but his lack of big plays and struggles in coverage decrease his value. Couple that with the arrival of rookie Jack Kiser and veteran Dennis Gardeck, and the Jaguars can afford to move on from Lloyd.
Already, Jacksonville moved on from 2022 third-round pick Chad Muma. Lloyd may be next. You could even say that the writing has been on the wall when the team declined his fifth-year option while it wasted no time picking up Travon Walker's.
Sure, there may be demand for linebackers next year, as Gregg Rosenthal notes. If that's the case, Devin Lloyd may be able to help several clubs, as it doesn't look like he will be with the Jaguars beyond 2025.