JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jaguars went back-to-back defense in the first round of the NFL draft, trading back into the first round to take Utah linebacker Devin Lloyd with the 27th pick on Thursday night.
After taking Georgia edge rusher Travon Walker with the No. 1 pick, the Jaguars jumped back into the first round, something general manager Trent Baalke said was possible earlier Thursday night. Jacksonville traded the No. 33, 106 and 180 picks to Tampa Bay to move up and select Lloyd.
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That means instead of leading off Friday night of the draft with the first pick of the second round, the Jaguars won’t choose again until the third round with pick Nos. 65 and 70.
Lloyd, a 6-3, 235-pound linebacker, had 111 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, eight sacks and four interceptions last season. The Jaguars needed help at linebacker after they released Myles Jack.
Mel Kiper had Lloyd projected to go 21st to the Patriots in his final mock draft.
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