Why the Jaguars Need to Extend Their 2022 First-Round Pick

In the 2022 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars selected linebacker Devin Lloyd out of Utah with their first-round selection. In his first three seasons with the team, he racked up good tackle totals, but not much else of note for the defense. Lloyd didn’t have many sacks, with only two in his first 48 games. He also had four interceptions. Although he made the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2022, the team noticed the lack of any impressive performances and decided to decline his fifth-year option in April. However, Lloyd felt this chip on his shoulder entering the 2025 season, and he made the Jaguars' front office regret their decision fast. With one game left to play, Lloyd has had more interceptions this season, with five, than he’s had in his whole career entering the year, as he only had four. He even had his name in the AP Defensive Player of the Year conversation for a good amount of time. Lloyd has been a playmaker and has turned into one of the better linebackers in the NFL.

Now, it is on the Jaguars' front office and general manager James Gladstone to retain Lloyd and keep the Jaguars' defense as one of the best in the league. Spoctrac currently projects Lloyd to get a contract worth around three years, worth $60 million, and it would be hard for Jacksonville not to give him a contract near that number. Would the Jaguars go more than that? Highly unlikely, as while the team has handed out hefty contracts in the past, they haven’t worked out in the team’s favor. The front office could be skeptical of handing out huge contracts based on the negative track record the Jaguars have had, such as the past contracts to wide receiver Christian Kirk and quarterback Nick Foles. When the Jaguars declined the fifth-year option, many couldn’t blame them. Lloyd had struggled in coverage and hadn’t produced any eye-opening plays. However, now he has inserted his name as one of the most electric linebackers in the NFL, and his market for free agency is only growing.

However, the Jaguars will face some other issues while they attempt to re-sign Lloyd. The Jaguars are already almost three million dollars over the salary cap. Jacksonville also has multiple cornerbacks entering the market, with Montaric Brown and Greg Newsome entering free agency at the conclusion of the season, among others on the roster. Jacksonville won’t be able to afford to bring everyone back, so they must pick and choose what they see as important to the future of keeping a competitive roster. With that being said, Devin Lloyd should be considered a key piece of this defensive unit moving forward, and should hopefully be able to secure a multi-year contract to remain a Jacksonville Jaguar.