Losing a star linebacker in free agency is painful enough. Losing him without a first-round pick to soften the blow makes it something else entirely — and that is exactly where the Jacksonville Jaguars find themselves heading into the 2025 season.

Devin Lloyd’s departure to the Carolina Panthers has left a real void in Jacksonville’s linebacker room, and the questions surrounding who fills it are not easy ones. The Jaguars came off a strong 13-win season and an AFC South title, but the offseason has been quiet — too quiet for a fanbase that expected the front office to be more aggressive.

The #Dolphins held firm on any talks of a Jaylen Waddle trade, believing he was worth a first rounder. Now, they get it. Meanwhile, the #Broncos get a premium playmaker. https://t.co/fyMp3o5LlQ

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2026

Five teams once again own two first round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft:

Jets: 2, 16
Browns: 6, 24
Chiefs: 9, 29
Dolphins: 11, 30
Cowboys: 12, 20

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 17, 2026

The result is a linebacker group that carries both legitimate veteran credibility and genuine uncertainty in equal measure. How that balance plays out could define Jacksonville’s defensive identity in the year ahead.

Why Devin Lloyd’s Exit Hurts More Than It Looks on Paper

NFL rosters are built on calculated risks. Every contract, every draft pick, every free agency decision carries the possibility of failure — and Jacksonville’s front office knows that better than most. But losing Lloyd without a meaningful replacement plan in place is the kind of risk that can quietly unravel a defense before the season even kicks off.

According to the source reporting, the Jaguars visibly struggled on defense during stretches when Lloyd was unavailable. That is not a minor footnote — it is a direct signal of how much the team’s defensive structure depended on his presence. His move to Carolina does not just remove a player from the depth chart; it removes one of the key connective pieces holding the linebacker unit together.

The Jaguars enter this offseason without a first-round pick, which limits their ability to inject high-upside talent at the position through the draft. Free agency has also been described as lackluster in terms of moves made. That combination — no elite draft capital, limited free agency activity, and a departed star — is what is driving legitimate concern among the fanbase.

The Linebacker Room: What Jacksonville Actually Has

The most important piece still in place is Foyesade Oluokun, who is entering his fifth year with the franchise. By any measure, Oluokun has been one of the most consistent and underrated linebackers in the NFL during his time in Jacksonville. He recently crossed the 1,000 career tackle threshold — a milestone that reflects durability, production, and a sustained level of reliability that is genuinely hard to find at the position.

Oluokun has been described as the “glue” of the Jaguars defense — the kind of player whose value is clearest when he is not on the field. He does not generate the highlight-reel moments that draw attention, but his football IQ and consistency make the players around him better.

The challenge is that even with Oluokun anchoring the room, the rest of the linebacker group carries something to prove. The veteran presence is real, but so is the pressure to demonstrate the unit can hold up without Lloyd as a complementary force.

Key Facts at a Glance

Factor
Detail

Devin Lloyd’s New Team
Carolina Panthers (signed in free agency)

Jacksonville’s 2024 Record
13 wins, AFC South Champions

Foyesade Oluokun’s Tenure
Entering fifth year with the Jaguars

Oluokun Career Tackles
Over 1,000 (threshold recently crossed)

Jaguars’ Draft Capital
No first-round pick this offseason

Free Agency Activity
Described as lackluster in terms of significant moves

Oluokun is widely considered one of the most underrated linebackers in the league at his position
The Jaguars defense showed clear signs of struggle when Lloyd was not available last season
Jacksonville’s linebacker room has veteran experience but faces real pressure to prove its depth
The lack of a first-round pick significantly limits Jacksonville’s ability to add elite talent through the draft

What This Means for Jacksonville’s Defense Going Forward

The practical consequence here is straightforward: the Jaguars are asking a linebacker room — minus one of its best players — to hold the line during what could be a transitional season. That is a significant ask, particularly when the surrounding roster-building tools are limited.

For fans watching the defense, the burden now falls on Oluokun to carry even more of the workload, and on the younger or less-proven players in the room to step into roles they may not have been expected to fill this quickly. Analysts observing the situation have noted that the linebacker group has real talent, but talent and proven performance under pressure are not always the same thing.

The concern is not that Jacksonville’s linebackers are bad. The concern is that the margin for error has shrunk considerably, and the team does not have obvious reinforcements waiting in the wings to absorb any struggles that emerge during the season.

What Needs to Happen for Jacksonville to Get This Right

Oluokun’s continued health is the single most important variable.

Beyond Oluokun, the rest of the linebacker room needs to use the offseason and preseason to make a genuine case. The Jaguars’ front office has accepted the risk that comes with a quieter offseason. Whether that risk pays off likely hinges on whether unproven players rise to the moment or whether the absence of Lloyd becomes a recurring storyline through the fall.

Jacksonville has shown before that it can build a winning culture quickly. Coming off 13 wins, the foundation is there. But foundations need walls — and right now, the linebacker room is being asked to build some of those walls without the blueprint it had a season ago.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where did Devin Lloyd sign after leaving the Jacksonville Jaguars?
Lloyd signed with the Carolina Panthers in free agency this offseason.

How many wins did the Jacksonville Jaguars finish with last season?
The Jaguars finished with 13 wins and won the AFC South division title.

Who is the veteran anchor of Jacksonville’s linebacker room?
Foyesade Oluokun, who is entering his fifth year with the franchise, is considered the veteran leader and “glue” of the Jaguars’ linebacker unit.

How many career tackles does Foyesade Oluokun have?
Oluokun has surpassed the 1,000 career tackle threshold, with that number expected to grow as long as he stays healthy.

Do the Jaguars have a first-round pick to address the linebacker need through the draft?
No — Jacksonville does not have a first-round pick this offseason, which limits their options for adding elite draft talent at the position.

Did the Jaguars make significant moves in free agency to replace Lloyd?
Based on available reporting, Jacksonville’s free agency activity has been described as lackluster, with no major moves confirmed to directly address the loss of Lloyd.