Finding Broncos: Devin Lloyd | LB

Measurements

Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 237 pounds
Arms: 33 inches
Hands: 9-1/2 inches

Combine Results

40-Yard Dash: 4.66 seconds
Bench Press (225 lbs): 25 reps
Vertical Jump: 35 inches
Broad Jump: 126 inches

Stats

Pros

Great versatility to play multiple schemes and roles.
Does a good job at keeping his eyes in the backfield.
Can be a defensive weapon in the front seven.
Good burst to pursue on the outside.
Strong and physical, steps up to meet the ball carrier in the hole.
No doubts about his physicality.
Plays with good aggression and doesn't go overboard with it.
Has good technique with his upper body to slip and shed.
Showed some good hands as a pass rusher to keep blockers off him.
Highly effective when used as a pass rusher.
A leader on and off the field.
Great conditioning and his play doesn't drop off as the game progresses.
Has shown he isn't a liability in coverage though he's displayed some issues.
Good athleticism.

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Cons

Has to improve his footwork and could loosen up his hips when working in coverage.
Needs better discipline in pursuit.
Questionable angles at times.
Has to improve his body control when working from sideline to sideline.
Missed 34 total tackles in his career.
Lacks a natural feel to go with the flow.
Has to learn to play with his pads lower.
Needs to improve his block recognition as he will often make the wrong reads.
Struggles the most to find his lane in zone concepts.
Will have to do a better job at coming to balance and proper technique when making a play in space.

Overview

Devin Lloyd was viewed as the top linebacker entering the 2022 NFL draft cycle and he's maintained that spot since. He had a good showing at the Combine, not just with the athletic testing, but the positional drills. However, with his traits, it isn't surprising that he did well in that environment.

Most of the concerns with Lloyd are either with his reads or situations that are replicable outside of the game. His issues reading blocking concepts as they develop will be an even bigger issue in the NFL. With the NFL being faster and more athletic, Lloyd won't have that excuses as he did in college.

Lloyd's versatility is elite with what he can bring as a pass rusher. There are some similarities with Dallas' Micah Parsons, and the initial usage of these two linebackers should be similar. However, Lloyd needs to be used in a way where he doesn't have to think so can just get out there and be instinctual.

Fit with Broncos

The Denver Broncos are still looking for help at the linebacker position. However, Lloyd is most likely out of their range as they sit with the 64th overall pick. So, if the Broncos want more linebacker help, they'll likely have to look elsewhere.

If the Broncos still had the ninth overall pick, the Lloyd would be more of an option. But instead, he's poised to be a top-20 pick because of his versatility. For Denver, he would be an interesting fit with what he brings to the table in comparison to what the team's other linebackers bring.

The most significant factor would be deciding what type of linebacker the Broncos are looking for. That would be the ultimate deciding factor as to whether Lloyd is true a fit.

Lloyd's best position would be a hybrid role to which the Broncos are reportedly considering moving Baron Browning. With how the timing went down, you wonder whether the Broncos were interested in Lloyd for that role before trading for Russell Wilson as the purported Browning position switch happened afterward.

Grade: Early/Mid Round 1

Where he Goes: Early/Mid Round 1

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