NFL Draft 2022 Scouting Report: ILB Devin Lloyd, Utah

*Our LB grades can and will change as more information comes in from Pro Day workouts, leaked Wonderlic test results, etc. We will update ratings as new info becomes available.

There are several eye-catching ILB prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft. The mainstream favorite among them is Devin Lloyd…for some of these analysts, he’s a top 10-15 overall pick level of ILB prospect.

I could go either way on Lloyd as the top ILB prospect. I see some things that push me towards Lloyd as the best ILB prospect of 2022…but I see some things that make me feel like he’s ‘just OK’/fine/solid…nothing special, and not the top ILB prospect for 2022.

On the positive side – Lloyd plays like, moves like, gives you the vibe of an interior linebacker. In an instant, he looks the part. He patrols the middle of the field (usually), always moving, always scanning the action to make a play. He moves side-to-side in short space as well as any linebacker in this draft. He drops into coverage well. He will try and blitz the gaps from time-to-time and has a pretty good eye for finding the space. He can go into/after the backfield, but he favors playing a traditional role of manning the middle.

NFL coaches love ‘linebacker mentality’, and they want their main ILB to be a team leader…and you get that with Lloyd. A two-time captain for Utah. A finalist for the 2021 LOTT impact award (for off-field work). From a military family…raised by a military code, and he’s already working with USAA.

Lloyd has the warrior, military spirit that NFL coaches crave from the middle linebackers.

On the negative side – Came in a little slower than hoped, a 4.66 40-time at the NFL Combine. On the field, I see some of the effects of his slower open field speed chasing things. It’s not a bust concern or disqualifier…just a little knock, a slight limitation detected that puts some pressure on his upside in our grading/view.

He’s a solid/OK tackler, not ‘special’…but gives it all he’s got on every play. In general, he’s good/solid…just not a ‘wow’ tape. He’s NFL-worthy for sure, maybe an instant starter Week 1, but I’ve never felt like I was watching a superstar ILB prospect here…just a really solid/good one.

Is Lloyd the best ILB prospect in this draft? Maybe. But that speaks to the quality of the ILBs in this draft – a bunch of good-not-great options. All I know is – you’re not going to go wrong with Lloyd from this draft. 

Devin Lloyd, Through the Lens of Our ILB Scouting Algorithm:

  -- 2021 PAC-12 Defensive Player of the Year

 -- 1st-team All-American 2021

 -- #1 in the PAC-12 in TFLs (22.0) and #2 in all the NCAA.

 -- #1 in the PAC-12 in solo tackles (66) in 2021

 -- #2 in the PAC-12 in interceptions (4) and #8 in passes defended (6).

2022 NFL Combine:

6’2.6”/237

9.5” hands, 33” arms

4.66 40-time, 2.71 20-yd, 1.58 10-yd

25 bench reps, 35” vertical, 10’6” broad

No agility times

The Historical ILB Prospects to Whom Devin Lloyd Most Compares Within Our System:

If Lloyd has a David Harris career, that wouldn’t be so bad…and fits with a ‘rock solid LB’ motif here. Sean Lee type linebacker is on the table.

*A score of 8.00+ is where we see a stronger correlation of LBs going on to become NFL good/great/elite. A score of 10.00+ is more rarefied air in our system, and indicates a greater probability of becoming an NFL elite LB.

All of the LB ratings are based on a 0–10 scale, but a player can score negative, or above a 10.0 in certain instances.

Tackle-Strength Metrics = A combination of several physical and performance measurements. An attempt to classify the LB prospect's ability to stop the run, as well as to gauge how physical the player is, and the likelihood of higher tackle counts in the NFL. All based on profiles of LBs historically.

Speed-Agility Metrics = A combination of several speed, agility, and size measurements...as well as game performance data to profile a LB for speed/agility based on LBs historically. A unique measuring system to look for LBs that profile for quickness, pass-coverage ability, and general ability to cover more ground.

2022 NFL Draft Outlook:

Projected as high as top 10, but mostly #11-25 overall. I think he’ll wind up going in the 2nd-half of the 1st-round. Too many other good players at more critical positions are ahead of him.

If I were an NFL GM, and I needed a classic ILB, I’d have to consider Lloyd…but if I was in need and seeing guys like Chad Muma and Leo Chenal out there 2nd-3rd-round, I’d probably go that way over a big pay up for Lloyd. But if I wanted to clean up/improve my locker room, Lloyd may be worth it.

NFL Outlook:   

Is going to have a good/solid career, at a minimum. Might have a Pro Bowl level career…but worse case he’s just really good/really solid. He shouldn’t be a bust risk.