The Patriots’ Prospect Profile: Devin Lloyd
Devin Lloyd from The University Of Utah is one of the nation’s best players. He would be an instant starter on day one. I believe he would excel under the tutelage of Belichick.
The need for more speed on the front seven of New England’s defense became brutality clear when we couldn’t force a fourth down against Josh Allen and The Bills. With multiple veterans at linebacker not yet resigned. Mix in comments about getting younger and faster at the position.
This signals that they are looking for a new anchor. Belichick has had a long and great history of drafting front seven defenders, this would be a slam dunk pick.
What Can Devin Lloyd Do?
What The Patriots would be gaining if they drafted Lloyd? Devin Lloyd can play at multiple positions off and on the line of scrimmage. He is an intense run defender who loves to get downhill and then disengage his blocker to make plays in the backfield.
The team needs a new “mike” to control the defensive calls and on-field audibles. This wouldn’t be new to Lloyd, his football IQ is high enough to understand the defense quickly enough to be trusted with this role. He has struggled at times to diagnose some zone blocking schemes. However, Mayo and Belichick can coach that out of him.
Devin Lloyd isn’t just an outstanding athlete but he has the leadership intangibles that every coach covets. “Lloyd is a high-level leader on the football field. He is a captain of the defense. He is also the emotional leader that his teammates look to during adversity.” Drae Harris The Draft Network
The Patriots are in need of an injection of youth into the team but also “The Patriot Way”. Gone are the days of Wilfork, Vabrel, Edelman, Hightower, and Bruschi. McCourty and Slater’s days are also numbered. Devin Lloyd would be a shot in the arm on both counts.
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The Fit
Devin Lloyd embodies what it means to be a Patriot without being a Patriot. He shows up early works his tail off inside the building, leaves late, and continues to work outside of it. He doesn’t complain because the play on the field does the talking for him.
The Patriots have continued to struggle with defending against the run game, both by running backs and mobile quarterbacks. Lloyd’s impact would be felt immediately in these areas. The weakness in his game is with pass coverage. However, over his last season at Utah, he dramatically improved to the point where he can be an every-down NFL player.
Closer to 240 pounds he fits the mold of linebackers Belichick typically takes as opposed to Nakobe Dean being smaller and faster. Most would look at Lloyd as an interior linebacker but in this system, he could project to play the weak side edge opposite Matthew Judon.
Hear me out, similar to how they move Hightower around, Lloyd can set the edge and stop the run. He has enough play strength to hold the pocket and contain the scramble. This would be a part-time role for him but it gives him another chance to be impactful to the team.
The Value
There is a great amount of NFL talent in this draft. There is a concise top eight players, the rest of the boards are wildly different from each other. So before anyone says “he will never fall to 21”, you never know what is going to happen come draft day. (ie Jalen Reagor over Justin Jefferson)
For now, this player is a cultural fit, a dynamic playmaker, and the team has a massive role in the middle of the defense. He is a two-time Butkus award finalist and a team captain. The more I think about this kid the more he reminds me of a modern-day Dont’a Hightower.
They don’t have the same build, but the style of downhill aggression, meeting players in the hole, exploding through the block to make a play. Has had some of the same coverage issues but is not as limited as Hightower was. He does have the leadership skills that Hightower brought as well.
Some may have Dean ranked higher because he is more “flashy” but I think Lloyd is the better overall linebacker with the size speed and IQ he possesses. So if he does fall I believe New England would gain the 2022 draft’s 12th best player.
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Originally tweeted by PFF (@PFF) on March 31, 2022.
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