The Minnesota Vikings had a quiet need heading into the NFL Draft of adding linebacker depth. They did not add a linebacker, but a new option may have emerged in the last week.
The Jacksonville Jaguars declined the fifth-year option on their former first-round draft pick, Devin Lloyd. The former Utah defender had racked up 355 tackles over three seasons. He has shown that he can be reliable in run coverage, something the Vikings have needed help with in recent years. Last year, their three regular-season losses were to the Lions and Rams. In those games, they gave up a combined 321 rushing yards.
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Blake Cashman was absent for two of them, and Ivan Pace Jr. stepped up in his absence. Sadly, he showed that he is up to some tasks but not all.
Lloyd could be acquired cheaply via trade if Kwesi Adofo-Mensah feels he is worth reaching out to the Jaguars for. The team traded away some valuable 2026 draft capital when they traded up from fifth to second in this year’s draft, so they could be looking to deal to get some of those picks back.
An idea that the Vikings understand is difficult to pull off without the willing parties.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: Could the Vikings make a play for a former top pick for the Jaguars?