The Jaguars got a heck of a last season in Jacksonville from linebacker Devin Lloyd in 2025. After declining Lloyd’s fifth year option back in April 2025, the former Utah linebacker went into the season in a contract year.

And boy, how he delivered. Despite totaling just 81 combined tackles, a career low, he had a career year in coverage, totaling five interceptions and posting a 78.7 Pro Football Focus coverage grade, both career bests that helped him early Pro Bowl and AP second team All-Pro honors, as well as a three-year, $45 million contract from the Carolina Panthers at the start of free agency.

Naturally, for Jacksonville, the question turns to, who’s next? Will the Jaguars be satisfied with Ventrell Miller, the team’s 2023 fourth round draft pick out of Florida, to step into a starting spot alongside Foyesade Oluokun? Or will they make a move in the draft to find a potential successor, or at least top-notch competition that will immediately push Miller in camp in 2026, at minimum?

At least one pundit thinks it’s the latter. In the latest mock draft by A to Z Sports draft analyst Tyler Forness, Jacksonville goes with a linebacker.

Jaguars select Missouri LB Josiah Trotter with pick No. 56 in latest A to Z Sports mock draft

From the perspective of a run defender, Trotter attacks the backfield and plays the game violently and at 100 miles per hour. He has good size for the position at 6-2, 237 pounds, and he’s instinctive and reads plays well, which isn’t surprising for the son of an NFL standout — longtime linebacker Jeremiah Trotter.

He still has a way to go when it comes to the coverage aspect of the position. He allowed 28 catches on 33 targets with no pass breakups and an opposing passer rating of 109.8 last year at Missouri, and he projects as more of a downhill, early down linebacker, at least at this point in his career.

Is it worth pulling the trigger on Trotter with Miller on the roster? I think a better option, if you’re looking for someone that could contribute a bit more on third downs, would be Texas’ Anthony Hill, Jr., who has proven adept in coverage with top-tier athleticism at 6-3, 238 pounds.

In any event, it would be a surprise if Jacksonville doesn’t address the position in the first three rounds of the draft, where they hold four picks.

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