Jaguars' perfect Devin Lloyd replacement went nuclear at NFL Combine

Replacing an All-Pro linebacker and prior first-round pick Devin Lloyd wouldn't be easy for the Jacksonville Jaguars, but it may be the difficult path they must follow this offseason.

The Jags still need to make multiple restructures and other transactions to get below the salary cap. Lloyd's franchise tag price is too expensive, and he's the top free-agent linebacker available. Somebody will for sure outbid Jacksonville for his services.

Losing Lloyd means GM James Gladstone would likely have another glaring roster hole on defense prior to the 2026 NFL Draft.

However, after the top linebacker prospects worked out in Indianapolis at the NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday, one possible Lloyd successor made a huge splash.

Texas Tech LB Jacob Rodriguez could be ideal Devin Lloyd stand-in after monster Combine performance

As of this writing on late Thursday evening, Jacob Rodriguez was ranked 62nd on the consensus big board and 83rd by PFF. Have a feeling a lot of folks will be scrambling to vault Rodriguez higher.

Although his undersized frame is still a concern, the Texas Tech star's thick build and demonstrated athleticism at the Combine offset those concerns.

Oh, and not to mention, Rodriguez has an absolutely epic college production profile.

When you prove to all the naysayers that you are, in fact, an elite athlete, not merely a passable one, and you have a demonstrated knack for takeaways, you might be a top draft prospect at linebacker.

Now look, nobody's going to confuse Rodriguez with Ohio State's Sonny Styles. But like, Styles is from a different planet than any other linebacker in this class, or just about any other class. Rodriguez might be the next-best guy to draft.

Given where Rodriguez still stacks up in the consensus rankings, there's reason to believe the Jags could have him with the 56th overall pick. However, after Gladstone's bold trade for Travis Hunter in last year's draft, I wouldn't be shocked to see him move up again.

Not that Gladstone needs to get too audacious. Jacksonville could use another edge defender, a defensive tackle, a boundary CB2 to complement Travis Hunter, and some linebacker insurance in the draft in case Lloyd is out the door. No shortage of defensive needs, as we touched on before.

That said, Gladstone does have three third-round picks to work with. Why not move up a little in Round 2 using just one of those, plus perhaps a Day 3 selection in 2027, to ensure you get Rodriguez or a top cornerback. Then, you could use one of the two remaining third-rounders to address whichever position you didn't in the second round.

Sounds like sound reasoning to me. Let me see if I can nail one of the kids' catchphrases these days.

Jacob Rodriguez, if your Combine workout is any indicator of what's to come at the NFL level, get ready to learn, "DUUUUUUUUVAAAAAAAL" buddy!!