Player: Devin Lloyd

School: Utah

Height and Weight: 6’3”, 237

Combine Results:

• 40: 4.66
• Bench: 25
• Broad Jump: 10’6”
• Vertical Jump: 35”
• 3 Cone: DNP
• Other Notes: Lloyd did not test well, he was right around the middle of the pack maybe a little below average if anything. The one thing Lloyd tested high in was the bench. 25 reps is pretty solid for a linebacker. Lloyd looked better in the field workout aspect of the combine. I don’t know that I would say he had the best day of the group, but it definitely helped save his day. I would’ve liked to have seen a little better athleticism from Lloyd, but he proved he’s a first round pick. Hopefully he can put up better numbers in his pro day.

Strengths: Versatility, pass coverage

Weaknesses: Not a great tackler, effort concerns, block shedding

Projected Draft Day: Day 1

Player Comparison: Ceiling: Micah Parsons, Floor: Jamie Collins

Player Summary: Lloyd is a big, lengthy backer who looks to be solid in space and his strength seems to be coverage. There was a play in the PAC-12 Championship he was covering a 3-4 yard check down in the middle of the field by the running back. Lloyd, behind about a yard or two, managed to get in front of the ball to hawk it for the pick six. I just don’t feel like many linebackers would make that play. Utah liked to use his versatility by playing him off the edge occasionally and he actually looked pretty good there. When kept clean, Lloyd showed promise as an off ball linebacker as well.

Lloyd seems raw, however, with some pretty big flaws might I add. The first and biggest of my concerns after watching his tape is his play-to-play effort. When I watched the first game against Oregon this season I thought that his effort was lacking, but then I watched some of the PAC-12 Championship game and I saw him with a higher motor, and it makes you wonder if you’re going to get the same Lloyd every game or just every once in a while. However, as you get further into that game when Utah takes a commanding lead it seems like Lloyd fades a little bit, which also makes you wonder if you’re going to get the same Lloyd snap to snap.

Lloyd also looked like a non-factor in the run game. If a lineman or even tight end got hands on him, the odds of seeing Lloyd make the play was pretty low. Fighting off blocks is a huge issue I saw. The other big problem I noticed is that Lloyd has a tendency to dive or overextend for tackles and in a few of the cases he did end up making a shoestring tackle, but that type of tackling is going to get in trouble in the pros. Shedding blocks and tackling are definitely skills that can be improved with pro-level coaching.

Lloyd seems like he has a lot of potential, but his effort needs to be high and consistent. I will be interested to watch how Lloyd develops as he enters the league. Based on what I watched, I think a 3-4 scheme as an outside backer could be the best fit for him heading into his rookie season because he’s strong and can be physical which is what you need your edge setter to be. It’s also interesting to note that he showed less effort concerns when rushing the passer, so it’s possible that forcing him to make contact every play could erase the effort concerns. A team with established veterans where he doesn’t have to play right away, or at least not in a starting capacity, could also be a great situation for him to learn off ball skills, as well as some pass rushing moves.

If Lloyd can develop in all aspects of the game I could see him becoming the league’s next Parsons; a player who brings extreme versatility to whatever team drafts him. For a comparison like this to work out though Lloyd also needs to prove that he is going to show up ready to play each and every week. If Lloyd doesn’t pan out and unlock the potential he clearly has, I could see Lloyd being a serviceable starter or role/system player in the league much like Jamie Collins. Collins, a guy who has had some concerns about effort through his career, but has shown to be a quality backer when in New England in their defensive scheme.