The NFL Scouting Combine is just around the corner and every NFL Draft fan is excited to watch the top athletes in the 2022 NFL Draft class perform. One of the very best athletes in the class is former Utah linebacker Devin Lloyd, who measures 6’3″ 232 lb. and possesses sky-high upside. Let’s dive into the tape to see what makes Lloyd a future Combine and NFL star!
Strengths: Lloyd possesses prototypical size and length, as well as elite athleticism. His biggest asset is how much pass rush value he offers. Lloyd can blitz really effectively from the second level because of his great burst, and he also excels when lining up on the edge. His first step quickness is elite, and he shows the ability to convert speed to power to drive back the offensive lineman. He also possesses good bend and closing burst to flatten to the quarterback and finish. Lloyd’s effort is evident through the whistle as well, as he fights well through contact and can get a sack late in the play. Though he is mostly tasked with rushing the passer on passing downs, Lloyd is capable in both man and zone coverage. He has the quickness and fluidity to cover one on one, as well as the agility to pick up targets in zone coverage. He has shown that he can make plays on the ball too, as evidenced by his four interceptions this year. He also does well to get his hands up to bat basses at the line of scrimmage. Lloyd excels against the run too. His speed offers him great range to make plays from sideline to sideline. He reads and reacts well, and his burst allows him to shoot gaps and blow up a run play in the backfield at the instant that he diagnoses the play. Lloyd typically finds the running back well in the hole. He shows good wrap-up technique and is forceful at the tackle point, rarely getting dragged for extra yards. Lloyd’s motor runs hot throughout the game and his tendency to make big plays in the clutch is a testament to his effort and his conditioning.
Weaknesses: Lloyd had great success rushing the passer in college due to his elite physical traits, but to make an equally big impact in this phase of the game in the NFL he will have to develop his technique, which is raw at this point. He especially lacks counters, causing him to get locked up when bigger offensive linemen get the chance to block him head-on. Lloyd’s awareness in traffic is inconsistent and he can sometimes fail to see a running back dashing past him while engaged. He lacks understanding of his assignment in zone coverage at times. Lloyd occasionally misses a tackle, not squaring up properly coming into it.
Bottom Line: Lloyd’s combination of size, length, and athleticism is extremely rare, making him a premier linebacker prospect. He excels against the run, showing great range, burst, and physicality. He is such a dangerous weapon against the pass, though he needs to greatly improve his pass rush technique in order to truly thrive in that area in the NFL, as he is quite reliant on his physical traits in that domain right now. If he can do so, Lloyd will be a perennial Pro Bowler who accumulates extremely high sack totals for a linebacker.
Sources
- Cover Image: https://www.deseret.com/2021/12/10/22819279/utah-coach-kyle-whittingham-thinks-devin-lloyd-is-best-defender-utah-football-nfl-draft-butkus-award
