Senior Bowl standout would give the Jaguars a perfect Devin Lloyd draft replacement

Following an impressive 2025 turnaround, the Jacksonville Jaguars will have to deal with the tough task of replenishing the roster. Aside from needing to address key needs, they'll need to find a way to bring as many of their pending free agents as they can. The most challenging one will arguably be linebacker Devin Lloyd.

After three good, not great seasons, the Jags chose not to pick up Lloyd's fifth-year option on his rookie deal. He went on to have a banner season, registering a career-best five interceptions and showing notable improvement in coverage, the weakest part of his game. Now, the former Utah Ute is scheduled to become a free agent, and Jacksonville might have trouble keeping him from leaving.

Currently, the Jags are $13.9 million over the cap. Even if they free up enough space, they may want to focus on making upgrades at other positions and re-signing other players, such as running back Travis Etienne and cornerback Montaric Brown. If Lloyd does leave, though, Jacksonville could target his perfect replacement in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Blake Rodriguez gives the Jaguars a potential replacement for Devin Lloyd

The Jaguars gave up their first-round pick in 2026 as part of the trade to move up for two-way Travis Hunter last year. That would limit the amount of prospects they can set their sights on in the upcoming NFL Draft. Having said that, there should still be plenty of intriguing prospects available when Jacksonville is on the clock at pick No. 56. At that point in the process, Jacob Rodriguez should still be on the board.

Matt Miller of ESPN had Rodriguez going to the Los Angeles Rams at No. 61 in his latest two-round mock draft, citing his playmaking skills as the main reason. Here's the skinny.

"The Rams need a downhill linebacker, and Rodriguez would fit the bill," Miller wrote. "He's a playmaker who had 4 interceptions, 7 forced fumbles, a sack, and 3 touchdowns scored last season."

Aside from his production, Rodriguez turned heads at the Panini Senior Bowl, showcasing the skillset to play in the NFL on every rep.

If Devin Lloyd walks in free agency, 2023 fourth-round pick Ventrell Miller could be the first in line to replace him. The former Florida Gator has fared well when thrust into action, but that shouldn't stop Jacksonville from considering the possibility of drafting Rodriguez if he's available in Round 2.

Why the Jaguars may pass on Jacob Rodriguez

The one thing that would potentially prevent the Jaguars from drafting Jacob Rodriguez in Round 2 is that cornerback, defensive tackle, and the pass rush are bigger needs. Jacksonville may want to address one of them before bolstering the linebacker corps.

On the other hand, if Rodriguez falls to the third round, the Jags shouldn't make a strong effort to snag him. They have three selections in that round, so they could most definitely afford to use one of them on the 2025 Butkus Award Winner.

In spite of its flaws, the Jaguars had one of the best defenses in the NFL last year. Drafting Jacob Rodriguez would only make it better.