Devin Lloyd notched two six-plus-sack seasons at Utah, being effective on blitzes with the Pac-12 team. The standout Ute finished with seven last season. The Jaguars may be planning to take advantage of the No. 27 overall pick’s versatility early. They aligned Lloyd on the edge during parts of their offseason program, Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com notes. New DC Mike Caldwell plans to use a 3-4 base scheme, but he has been intermittently stationing Lloyd at defensive end on third downs. That opens the door to some possibilities for the Jags, who were aggressive at the off-ball linebacker spots this offseason. Jacksonville gave Foyesade Oluokun a top-five ILB contract and drafted Wyoming’s Chad Muma in Round 3. The Jags are set to feature Josh Allen and No. 1 overall pick Travon Walker as their most prominent edge rushers, though DiRocco describes the 272-pound top pick as a work-in-progress as a 3-4 outside ‘backer. Nevertheless, the ex-Georgia defensive lineman has lined up at that position with Jacksonville’s first-team defense this offseason.
Here is the latest from the AFC:
- Hunter Renfrow‘s two-year, $32MM Raiders extension comes with a $9.18MM signing bonus that will be spread out through five years (two void years, 2025 and ’26) for cap purposes, Albert Breer of SI.com notes. Renfrow is due a $4.32MM roster bonus on Day 3 of the 2023 league year, with Breer adding that day also will see the slot talent’s $6.5MM 2023 base salary become fully guaranteed. Renfrow is set to earn a nonguaranteed $11.2MM base in 2024.
- New Bears GM Ryan Poles did not retain longtime staffer Mark Sadowski this offseason, but the veteran scout will catch on with another rookie GM. Omar Khan hired Sadowski as the Steelers‘ director of player scouting, Mark Kaboly of The Athletic tweets. Sadowski was most recently the Bears’ college scouting director.
- While Sheldon White replaced longtime Steelers director of pro scouting Brandon Hunt, the team promoted Dave Petett to the assistant pro scouting director post, Kaboly adds (via Twitter). Petett, who has been with the Steelers since 2004, will move from the scouting level to a director gig. The Steelers are also promoting Cole Marcoux to director of football administration, a title Khan held for several years in the 2010s. Marcoux joined Khan in working with the Steelers’ salary cap in recent years.
- Although Lovie Smith‘s fine did not match the penalties handed out to Mike McCarthy and Ron Rivera, the new Texans HC will lose $50K because of an OTA violation, Dan Graziano of ESPN.com tweets. This stems from a use of a prohibited drill involving linemen.
I just don’t get why certain GMs, like Trent Baalke, insist on drafting players who have lower production than they’re expected to in college and then play them in different positions. Walker was drafted for his potential more than his end results, and they’ll have learn a new position before he even settles in to the league.
The Jags drafted Travon Walker for his athleticism as a defensive lineman. As a defensive lineman, Walker often moved inside for mismatches against interior offensive linemen. Now, he’ll be playing on the edge. Oluokon is a pretty good player, but he is a bit undersized for the outside role that he’d be projected to play in a 3-4 base. I suppose that he’d have to move inside, since Walker and Allen will be outside.
It just seems like both Oluokon and Walker would fit a 4-3 base better. But I’m just a fan on the couch, so I could be totally and completely wrong.
Doesn’t mean they’ll learn it, but…you CAN teach scheme, technique, etc.
You CANNOT teach freakish athleticism.
You can eat “avacado ice cream” but…
No pressure on the Jags to win now therefore no pressure to figure out the best use of these new kids right now either.This season will be all about finding out what works with new coaches,players,schemes etc.
Go Jags!