![Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd (0) walks on the field during an NFL scrimmage event at EverBank Stadium, Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_280,w_6000,h_3375/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/55/01k3mrgv23bpqsc33chm.jpg "Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd (0) walks on the field during an NFL scrimmage event at EverBank Stadium, Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]")
The Jacksonville Jaguars announced that they would be resting their starters their the preseason finale against the Miami Dolphins. This made sense because why would they want to expose key players to unnecessary injury risk in what otherwise was a meaningless game? That said, a few notable players did suit up. One of them was linebacker Devin Lloyd.
At the time, the decision was a bit puzzling since Lloyd was projected to start next to Foyesade Oluokun. However, the initial 53-man roster has brought clarity.
Foyesade Oluokun and Ventrell Miller are starting for the Jaguars
One of the many things that stood out bout the Jags' initial 53-man roster was that Foyesade Oluokun and Ventrell Miller are listed as the projected starters at linebacker. Meanwhile, Devin Lloyd popped up in the "others on the roster" category.
This came as a bit of a shock because there were no reports in the offseason that Miller was challenging Lloyd for the spot next to Oluokun. Then again, it all now makes sense.
Back in the Week 2 preseason game, Devin Lloyd logged snaps on special teams. This was a bit odd since he has mostly gotten playing time on defense the past three NFL seasons. Then again, that might have been a sign that even if he weren't in roster danger, his role could change in 2025.
And in the finale, Lloyd was among the starters who did suit up. He apparently didn't log any playing time, but it was still telling that he was active for the game.
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Why Ventrell Miller got ahead of Devin Lloyd on the Jaguars depth chart
Dating back to last year, Ventrell Miller has been better than Devin Lloyd. When Foye Oluokun missed time, it was the former who filled in for him and did enough to prove that he deserved a bigger role in 2025.
Meanwhile, Lloyd has struggled to live up to his draft billing. Sure, he flashed early in his career and excels at stopping the run. However, the California native isn't great in coverage and hasn't turned into the game-changer at linebacker the Jags envisioned when they drafted him 27th overall in 2022. Compounding the issue is that a new regime took over after the 2024 season.
The deadline came to exercise the fifth-year option on the first-round picks from the 2022 draft, and the Jags wasted no time picking up Travon Walker's but declined Lloyd's. This was an indication that the new regime liked the former but wasn't sold on the latter.
Later in the offseason program, Miller was significantly better. It's also worth noting that Jacksonville already cut ties with 2022 draft pick Chad Muma. Lloyd wasn't nearly as underwhelming as he was but he didn't play well enough to earn a starting role either.
Now, Lloyd is entering a contract season and will need to boost his stock if he wants to cash in next year. Given that he's currently No. 3 on the depth chart, it may not be an easy task.