Latest news with #DevinLloyd
Associated Press
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Mass in the past: Josh Hines-Allen and his Jaguars teammates slim down in hopes of turning up
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Josh Hines-Allen tipped the scales like never before in 2024. The seventh-year pro beefed up to 285 pounds at the behest of first-year (now former) Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen, whose 'mass kicks ass' motto was a mainstay during the offseason and in training camp. It was catchy — and ultimately consequential. Hines-Allen and several defensive teammates swelled past the point of stout, and it showed on the field. The Jaguars ranked 31st in the NFL in total defense last season, allowing nearly 390 yards a game. They gave up 26 points a game, tied for second-most in the league, and finished with the fewest takeaways (nine). 'Holding a little bit more weight kind of puts a little bit more wear and tear on the body,' Hines-Allen said. 'It was a lot. Too much.' Hines-Allen won't blame his performance — he totaled eight sacks after notching a career-high 17 1/2 in 2023 — on the extra pounds. But he suspects they were related. 'My body was not cooperating as much as I would want it to,' Hines-Allen said. 'I take care of my body to the utmost, but it was a little bit different.' Hines-Allen insists it won't happen again. Although he declined to disclose his current weight, he looks and feels leaner. And he's hardly alone. Linebacker Devin Lloyd is down 15 pounds, from 255 to 240. Defensive end Travon Walker is a little lighter and has overhauled his body mass index. Veterans Arik Armstead, Foye Oluokun and DaVon Hamilton also are slimmer than last season — and the Jags expect it to pay dividends. 'Just the stamina aspect, bursts, getting out of breaks,' Lloyd said. 'It's a lot easier, a lot more natural. For me, the cardio aspect of it was the biggest deal. You're running all day, and after like four or five plays, you get tired. Now you can be a little more prolonged with your endurance.' Jacksonville owner Shad Khan cleaned house following last year's 4-13 finish. He fired coach Doug Pederson and later parted with general manager Trent Baalke. Nielsen, his defensive assistants and the entire strength and conditioning staff were let go once general manager James Gladstone, coach Liam Coen and executive vice president Tony Boselli took over. The first edict for the defense might as well have been 'mass is in the past.' 'I know that they'd put some weight on in order to play some of the schemes, structures that they were playing,' Coen said. 'That's just anybody's prerogative. That's the way they wanted to do it. 'Ultimately, just kind of evaluating it and talking to some of the players and trying to get them back down a little bit to maybe where they'd been when they'd had better years or been a little bit more productive. Definitely better for those guys to feel fresh.' Hines-Allen feels much fresher — and lighter on his feet. He reached 20 mph during workouts last week. 'I still got it,' he quipped. With weight off his mind for the first time in more than a year, Hines-Allen is now focused on staying healthier, being on the field more, becoming an All-Pro, earning Defensive Player of the Year and setting the franchise sack record. He has 53 sacks, two shy of tying Tony Brackens for the team mark set in 2003. 'I can't go into another season thinking about my weight,' Hines-Allen said. 'You know what I mean? That's why this year, coming back in that mindset and that weight class that I feel like I need to be, and it's dominant, it's fast, can move. 'I don't want to get off the field. … Get out, get a squirt of water, come back in and play four or five plays full speed and take over games. That's my mentality, that's the mindset and that's the goal at the end of the day.' ___ AP NFL:
USA Today
05-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Could the Bucs make a trade for a former first-round pick in Jacksonville?
Could the Bucs make a trade for a former first-round pick in Jacksonville? The Jacksonville Jaguars' decision not to pick up Devin Lloyd's fifth-year option has raised some questions about his future with the team. After being selected 27th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, Lloyd was expected to be a cornerstone of the Jaguars' defense. While he showed flashes of potential in his rookie season with 115 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, and three interceptions, there were notable inconsistencies when the Jaguars asked him to switch up his roles within the defense. This opens the door for other teams, such as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, to target him in a trade, potentially, or to sign him once he hits free agency after the season. Lloyd's upside remains significant. At 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, he has the ideal frame and athleticism for a linebacker, and his ability to cover both the run and pass makes him a versatile asset. For the Buccaneers, finding the heir for Lavonte David has been brewing for the last few seasons as the Ironman has come back on year-to-year contracts, and most feel this is his final season. Todd Bowles has valued linebackers who can excel in coverage and against the run. Lloyd fits that mold. He could provide an immediate upgrade and the kind of versatility that Bowles loves to work with. Lloyd's youth, only entering his third season, aligns with Tampa's current linebacker room rebuilding efforts. Acquiring Lloyd would be a relatively low-risk, high-reward proposition for the Buccaneers. If they can unlock his full potential, he could become a long-term fixture on their defense, offering the kind of stability and playmaking the team has been searching for in the linebacker room since Devin White's departure and K.J. Britt's struggles.
USA Today
30-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Report: Jacksonville Jaguars will not pick up fifth-year option for LB Devin Lloyd
Report: Jacksonville Jaguars will not pick up fifth-year option for LB Devin Lloyd The Jacksonville Jaguars are reportedly not picking up the fifth-year option for former first-round draft pick and linebacker Devin Lloyd. The Jacksonville Jaguars are reportedly not picking up the fifth-year option for former first-round draft pick and linebacker Devin Lloyd, according to Jeremy Fowler. This means that Lloyd, who is entering the final year of his rookie deal in 2025, will be a free agent next offseason. This report does not come as a surprise, considering that a few weeks ago, when asked about picking up Lloyd's option for the 2026 season, head coach Liam Coen said that there were "no plans right now," and the team was still "having those conversations." All first-round picks come with a standard four-year rookie deal, but unlike players drafted in Rounds 2 through 7, the team has the ability to pick up or decline a fifth-year option. The Jaguars have already picked up the fifth-year option for Travon Walker. Had the Jaguars picked up Lloyd's option for next season, Over the Cap projected that his contract for 2026 would have been worth $14.75 million, and it would have been fully guaranteed. This contract value is predetermined by the CBA and based on position, playing time, and whether any Pro Bowls were made. However, that is now a moot point. Lloyd finished the 2024 season making 106 of his 111 tackle attempts, and he was among PFF's highest-graded linebackers in the run game. In coverage, he allowed 11.6 yards per catch with one interception and one pass breakup. With defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile's background working with the linebacker position, along with his malleable defensive scheme that can help further unlock Lloyd's versatility, there might not be another player on the Jaguars defense who benefits more from this coordinator hire than Lloyd. "We're excited about him," Coen said of Lloyd. "A guy that we see we can do some things with. We do feel excited about some of his versatility and experience. So some of those conversations, they'll be open and honest and communicated." (Please note that this article will be updated.)
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Devin Lloyd entering make or break season with Jaguars in 2025
Recently, the Jaguars elected to utilize the fifth year option of former first overall pick, Travon Walker, however, they have yet to decide on linebacker Devin Lloyd. If they elect not to pick up the option, he will be set to hit Free Agency following this upcoming season. The deadline to pick up the fifth year option is May 1, just after the conclusion of the NFL Draft. Advertisement >>> STREAM ACTION SPORTS JAX 24/7 LIVE <<< If they do use it, Lloyd would be set to make nearly $15 million, a heavy price tag for a linebacker on a prove-it deal. Jaguars' head coach Liam Coen spoke about Devin Lloyd and his fifth year option recently. 'No plans right now in terms of, we're having those conversations, getting used to the player,' Coen said. 'We just got to get used to him a little bit and get to know him a little bit. We're excited about him. A guy that we see we can do some things with, like, we do feel excited about some of his versatility and experience. So, some of those conversations will be open and honest and communicated.' First round selections carry heavy expectations and Lloyd is no exception. Lloyd has had an up and down career thus far, struggling with injuries and assignments at times in coverage, however, he's been excellent in run-defense and tackling. Advertisement Last season, Pro Football Focus graded Devin Lloyd as the tenth best linebacker in run-defense. In 2023, Lloyd was even better, finishing fourth despite facing injuries. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] This past season, Lloyd's 4.5% missed tackle rate led all linebackers. He's as sure a tackler as you get. While Lloyd has largely been in the shadow of teammate Foye Oluokun, Oluokun's injuries allowed Lloyd to step up in 2024. In response, Lloyd led the Jaguars in both tackles (113) and defensive stops (59). His 59 defensive stops ranked 28th in the NFL among linebackers. Despite posting three straight 100+ tackle seasons, Lloyd's fate in Jacksonville is still very much in the air. Advertisement Recently, there has been a lot of noise surrounding the Jaguars and Georgia Bulldog linebacker Jalon Walker, who could come in and compete with Lloyd next to Foye Oluokun. This coming season will be huge for Devin Lloyd, who needs to prove himself in what could be his final season with the team. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action Sports Jax 24/7 live.
