Utah LB Devin Lloyd would significantly improve the New York Jets defense through his versatility

We previously discussed Georgia linebacker, Nakobe Dean. Although linebacker is a big-time New York Jets need at the moment, very few pundits believe that’s where Joe Douglas will go at No. 10 in the 2022 NFL draft.

Nonetheless, the big-boy backers must be analyzed.

Enter another potential first-round option in Utah’s Devin Lloyd.

The full Devin Lloyd film breakdown can be seen at the bottom of this article.

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Depending on the flavor and team need, there is a debate over who is the true LB1 of this draft class.

Both linebackers—Dean and Lloyd—are extremely different football players. However, both kids showcase massive upside and are some of the most exciting players I’ve evaluated in this specific draft class.

  • Would the Jets actually consider Lloyd in the first round?
  • What makes him different from Nakobe Dean?
  • Who’s the true LB1 in the Jets’ view?

These questions and many more are answered in the most recent edition of Blewett’s Blitz. The full Devin Lloyd film breakdown can be seen at the bottom of this article (nearly an hour in length).

YouTube clip and podcast episode

Strengths and weaknesses

Strengths

  • Size
  • Acceleration 
  • Blitzing
  • Burst
  • Range
  • Tackling
  • Aggression 
  • Lateral movement
  • Slips blocks
  • Heavy hitter
  • Man coverage ability
  • Keeps himself clean in traffic
  • Plays long
  • Ball skills
  • Good in zone coverage 
  • Click and close
  • Physicality 
  • Flexible
  • Will take blocks head-on
  • Legitimate pass rush ability as an edge
  • Length
  • Natural power
  • Balance while taking in blocks
  • Quick to read blocks and trigger
  • Wins vs blocks with power and/or finesse
  • Sets a good edge
  • Gets hands-on in man coverage 
  • Pass rush includes leaping chop, cross chop, chop, one arm stab and rips
  • Bend
  • Power through bend
  • Can disguise a lot of fronts with him
  • Softens edge as an edge rusher with angles
  • Shortens stride to hold lineman as a rusher
  • Sinks well under routes in zone

Weaknesses

  • Can be over-aggressive on the backside
  • Hips can be stiff
  • Change of direction clunky at times
  • Can be flat-footed in the open field
  • Needs to condense feet in space
  • Feet can be clunky
  • Motor is hot and cold
  • Hand placement when stacking can be inconsistent 
  • High hipped
  • Mental lapse or two has shown up
  • Can play a little uncontrolled
  • Has some reps showing laziness
  • See him assume tackles will be made by others and not rally to the ball at times
  • Leaves feet as a tackler too often

Full Devin Lloyd film breakdown