Regrading Jacksonville Jaguars 2022 NFL Draft picks one year later

Regrading Jacksonville Jaguars 2022 NFL Draft: LB Devin Lloyd, Round 1

Ideally, you want your first-round pick to see the field as soon as possible and contribute. In Devin Lloyd's case, he missed a good chunk of training camp with a hamstring injury but still managed to find himself in the starting lineup in Week 1.

Lloyd got off to a hot start, registering six passes defensed and two interceptions in his first three NFL games. He had such an impact that he was an early candidate to win Defensive Rookie of the Year Honors. However, he quickly cooled down and hit the proverbial rookie wall. Looking back, missing valuable reps in training camp might have had an impact after all.

Although Lloyd eventually returned to the starting lineup, it was because Muma got hurt, and it's fair to wonder if he can enter the 2023 season as a starter. The silver lining is that Lloyd has the tools to become an impact starter in the league. Otherwise, the Jaguars wouldn't have traded back into the first round to take him. Having said that, Lloyd has plenty to prove. Beating Muma for the starting job in training camp would be a good start.

Grade: C+

Regrading Jacksonville Jaguars 2022 NFL Draft: OLB Travon Walker, Round 1

The Jaguars' brass knew outside linebacker Travon Walker wasn't going to put up eye-popping numbers in his rookie campaign because he was making the transition to outside linebacker full-time after rarely rushing the quarterback from a standup position in college. Yet, it was a bit odd to see them pick the former Bulldog over the "more NFL ready" Aidan Hutchinson.

In the end, Walker flashed as a rookie and became more consistent as the season progressed. The Georgia native finished the year with 3.5 sacks, 24 total tackles, one interception, and one forced fumble. Moreover, he grew more comfortable in his new position.

But the Jaguars can no longer expect flashes from Walker. They need him to show growth in 2023, which isn't unreasonable when you consider that most edge rushers show significant improvement in their second season.

If Walker can become the player the Jaguars expected when they chose him first overall, the 12th-ranked defense from last year should get a huge boost.

Grade: C