The hardest part of fantasy football isn't reacting to your players' in-season performance—it's overcoming the paralysis of changing your opinion. Falling in love with a player who delivers is easy; letting go when their time has passed is the challenge. Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd is a prime example. When he's at his best, Lloyd can be a week-winning force, but too often, his inconsistent play leaves us questioning his role in the defense. I believe we've seen the peak of Lloyd's NFL potential. In fantasy, holding onto players like him can stall your roster. It's time to move on sooner rather than later.
Oh, What Could Have Been
Devin Lloyd entered the NFL with top-tier dynasty linebacker hype, backed by a stellar 2022 rookie season and a 2023 breakout, where he posted 127 tackles and seven passes defended in just 15 games at age 25. However, his 2024 season marked a clear regression. Despite playing one more game, Lloyd's production dropped to 113 tackles and four passes defended—a concerning decline. More troubling, teammate Foyesade Oluokun, an IDP standout, missed four games, yet Lloyd failed to capitalize, often being outshone by backup Ventrell Miller's efficiency.
Drafted in 2022 as the centerpiece of Jacksonville's defense, Lloyd has been overshadowed since the Jaguars signed Oluokun in free agency. His reduced output despite increased opportunity signals a slide to average, making him a risky fantasy asset. With the Jaguars' defensive scheme leaning on Oluokun and emerging depth players, Lloyd's role appears increasingly limited. Fantasy managers should consider streaming higher-upside linebackers or trading Lloyd while his name still carries some value. Waiting for a return to his 2023 form may prove futile as his trajectory trends downward.
The Burden of Good Teammates
In traditional NFL discussions, fans might praise the depth of Jacksonville's linebacker corps, but in IDP fantasy, that depth is a liability for Devin Lloyd. Despite leading the unit in snaps last season, Lloyd's production is capped by a talented group where backups like Ventrell Miller match or exceed his tackle efficiency. Foyesade Oluokun, the clear LB1, missed four games yet logged only 68 fewer snaps than Lloyd, highlighting his priority status.
The significant 400-snap gap to the third linebacker shows snaps are split strategically based on scheme and game flow, diluting Lloyd's opportunities. This dynamic is a death knell for IDP consistency, as Lloyd's snap count rarely aligns with total defensive plays. In fantasy, he's a solid handcuff for Oluokun, but chasing elite production or long-term hype from Lloyd is a trap. Pivot to higher-upside linebackers to maximize your roster's potential. With Oluokun entrenched as the defensive leader and Miller emerging as a capable backup, Lloyd's ceiling remains limited. His 2024 stats, 69 tackles and no interceptions through Week 8, reflect this diminished role. Fantasy managers should trade him now before his value erodes further.
Inconsistency
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