Jaguars don't expect LB Devin Lloyd to rush the passer from the edge

Linebacker Devin Lloyd showed proficiency getting after the quarterback in college and given the Jacksonville Jaguars need to bolster their pass rush, it's fair to wonder if the coaching staff should have him rush the passer from the edge. However, defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell doesn't see that happening.

Caldwell recently praised Lloyd but doesn't envision deploying him from the edge, noting that he's more effective blitzing inside.

"Devin, he's in a good spot, he really is", Caldwell told the local media before the Jags' seventh Organized Team Activity of the year. "Mentally, physically and you can see he's playing faster. He recognizes things and from a freshmen linebacker to a second-year linebacker, you can see the progress he's making and I'm excited for him. He decided to really get this thing going and looking for big things from him".

"Devin is an inside linebacker and inside linebackers typically blitz, so when you line them up on the end of the line, which we have, we've lined them up there, that's not their forte. But you need to give him more opportunities to blitz, which he did last year and we'll just continue to do that. He has a unique skill set where he can rush the quarterback but it's typically against running backs, possibly a tight end, but that's the type of matchups we want to get him into. but offensive lineman, no", Caldwell said.

Lloyd registered 15 sacks in his last three seasons at Utah, so at a surface level, it makes sense to have him rush the passer from the edge. However, he doesn't have the length or size to constantly create pressure outside. As Caldwell noted, the sophomore linebacker is better suited to blitz from inside. Here's Caldwell's exchange with the media, along with Doug Pederson's:

The Jaguars coaching staff are putting Devin Lloyd in a position to succeed

The Jaguars knew what kind of skill set Lloyd has and they know that getting after the quarterback from the edge isn't his strength. By focusing on what he does best, the coaching staff is putting him in a position to succeed. The fact that he's healthy should help him work on doing a better job of diagnosing plays and dropping in coverage in his sophomore season.

Lloyd got off to a strong start last year and was an early candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. However, he eventually hit a wall and was phased in favor of fellow linebacker Chad Muma. While there's a chance both linebackers will compete for the spot next to veteran linebacker Foyesade Oluokun, Lloyd may have a slight edge by virtue of being a former first-round pick.

It's worth noting that the team's brass traded back into the first round to draft Lloyd last year and one big reason they took Muma in Round 3 is that he was still available even though he was one of the top off-linebacker prospects of the class.

The Jacksonville Jaguars expect more consistency from Lloyd in Year 2 but they've also set realistic expectations, which is why they won't have him rush the passer from the edge.