Devin Lloyd is what happens when hidden talent works hard to shine. Lloyd was a 3-star recruit out of Otay Ranch High School where he had to play not only offense and defense but special teams, as well. His tape at safety, wide receiver, and punter earned him one Power Five offer: Utah. He chose to make the move to Salt Lake City, committing to Utah over UNLV, Colorado State, Sacramento State, San Jose State, and Utah State. 
From there, Lloyd took the long way to the NFL. He redshirted his true freshman year and spent most of his redshirt-freshman year on special teams. As a redshirt-sophomore, Lloyd earned a starting spot at rover and led the team in tackles. Over Utah’s five-game 2020 season and full return to football in 2021, Lloyd never relinquished the title as the Utes’ lead tackler while moving to the team’s mac (middle) linebacker position. Over his last three years with the team, Lloyd tallied 249 tackles over 33 games, adding 43.0 tackles for loss and 16.5 sacks.
It’s easy to see that Lloyd lit up the stat sheet as he gained more and more experience leading the defense. It’s harder to understand when watching his film. Lloyd’s defensive approach in a bit unorthodox. Film-watchers will note his inconsistency diagnosing plays or his sometimes indirect flow to the ball. Call it luck, call it instinct, call it raw talent, but despite those technical red flags, Lloyd’s production is consistent and dominant. The best comparison for this phenomenon that comes to mind is an offensive prospect from a few years back. Between his game film and horrible performance at the NFL Combine, Orlando Brown Jr. had scouts raising questions over the tackle’s technique. He dominated at the college level, but was the switch to the big leagues going to overwhelm his poor technique? Brown is currently the only offensive tackle to make the Pro Bowl each of the last three seasons. I don’t think it’s a stretch to expect similar success for Lloyd.
Despite his inconsistencies in technique and reading the offense, Devin Lloyd dominates. He’s an incredibly physical, every down linebacker. His wide frame and aggression make him hard to shake and, if you happen to sneak by him, he has great burst to pursue. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah called him “an angry missile with long arms.”
Lloyd tops The Athletic’s Dane Brugler’s positional rankings for linebackers. In Brugler’s updated Top 100 big board, Lloyd sits near the top as the seventh overall player available in the 2022 NFL Draft. In mock drafts, Lloyd’s gone anywhere from 7th to the Giants to 9th to the Broncos to 14th to the Eagles.
Lloyd is a sure Day One-pick that will immediately be on watchlists for Defensive Rookie of the Year. The redshirt-senior from Utah will be ready to take his experience leading the Utes’ and use it to become the focal point of one lucky franchise’s defense.
I hope he’s a future eagles.
Big time player that will be a fan favorite where ever he goes. He is the one player where his times and scores are going to vault him even more. I think he is a top 10 talent that could be just as effective as Micah Parsons was for the Cowboys. I will be paying attention to him as he is in my top 3 players of this draft.
Well, Parsons did not have the same technique questions that Lloyd does. Lloyd sounds like a great prospect for a team with great coaches who can put him in a position to affect plays, or can help guide him into developing better positioning or technique.
As I said, he could be as effective as Parsons was in the Cowboys. Parsons also had a much bigger university program to get his football education from. Lloyd continues to get better every year and molding something different in his game at Utah. Now give him NFL caliber training, coaching, diets etc. Sky is the limit for him.
I am intrigued to see how he tests. He has good size and range. That is going to be the big point of sale for him. If he puts on a show he can vault himself into the top 10 and/or get some teams to trade up for him.
You will see his name up there at the end for defensive rookie of the year honors. I like him alot and he is one of my favorite prospects in this draft. Would love to see him in a Lions uniform but that’s a pipe dream.
To add on, he was asked to do everything on that Utah defense. Rarely he was out of position. So they can point out the technique errors all they want. Coaches can help rectify those things. As long as he puts the hammer down when he needs to, that’s what most are looking for.
Good insight. I don’t mean to be misunderstood, I’d like to see where Lloyd ends up. With all of the players opting out of the Combine, an athletic prospect like him could climb the charts easily.
If he tests at the combine or his pro day… either way, I want to see his numbers. I think he is faster and his lateral movement is better then people give him credit for.
It’s all good i understood where you were going, I love the draft. I have my rankings and he is right near the top of mine. Just want to see how he tests and see what these nfl teams leak out.
I wish him all of the luck in the world and hope he has a wonderful H.O.F. career. I am kind of relieved that he will be off the board before the Raiders pick.
I see him as maybe the 2nd LB off the board but with the Eagles, Giants, and Jets having multiple picks in the top 20….. You are moving North East young man.
Please keep doing these articles. They’re great and I think we all appreciate them.