The 2022 NFL Draft saw the Jaguars select a pair of young defensive talents to build their defense around.  OLB Travon Walker was selected with the first overall pick.  Later, with the 27th overall pick, the Jags added LB Devin Lloyd from Utah.  The expectations were especially high for Walker, but both were going to be counted on as key pieces in the team's attempted turnaround.  

The 2022 season was one that started off slower for Walker, who earned a 58.0 defensive grade for the season by Pro Football Focus, but ended with a little bit of momentum.  Walker had two solid performances in the wins over Tennessee that catapulted the Jaguars to the playoffs, earning a 91.6 pass rush grade from Pro Football Focus in Week 14 against the Titans.  

However, Doug Pederson stated recently that they're looking to get Walker some looks inside, where Walker played and excelled at Georgia.  It's logical, as they're looking to take advantage of his length and disruptive ability at every possible spot, including closer to the quarterback at the snap. 

It appears he isn't the only 2022 first round draft pick they could be moving around some. 

Pederson stated Wednesday that Lloyd is getting some work this offseason as an edge rusher.  

I've seen this offseason putting him in a couple of different positions.  Still want to keep him off the ball, but he's also a good edge rusher as well in different packages and what Mike [Caldwell] wants to do defensively. I think the more he understands the defense as a player, the more versatility that we can use him in different spots. We've done it this spring, and he's done a nice job mentally.  Again, I think, that's why he's here.  You continue to learn.  You continue to grow.  He's done a nice job. – Doug Pederson via Jaguars YouTube channel

A move inside for Walker could be, honestly, genius, given what Walker and his long arms could do to interior offensive linemen.  A move outside for Lloyd in certain situations might also be smart.  

Lloyd started the season off red hot for the Jaguars last fall, earning NFL defensive rookie of the month for September honors.  However, his play fell off a bit, and 2022 third-round pick Chad Muma earned two starts at the position.  Lloyd regained his position and finished out the season. Lloyd stated on the Jim Rome Show that there was a lot of learning, not just by him, but with a new position coach (Bill Shuey) and new defensive coordinator (Mike Caldwell), and that his understanding of the defense is significantly better this offseason.

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Lloyd's comfort level and having another full offseason to absorb and understand Caldwell's defense will only help his ability to read and react.  "More anticipation as opposed to reaction," Lloyd told Jim Rome.  "Understanding the scheme is another crucial part of growth from last year."

There's a level of comfort that Lloyd also talked about earlier in the offseason with regards to his ability to work as a pass rusher.

"Very comfortable.  I really describe myself as an athlete.  I'm a football player, but I'm also an athlete so I take pride in being able to move around," Lloyd told reporters during the Jaguars offseason training activities on May 30.  "Just being on the line of scrimmage and pass rushing, it's going to be very good for me.  It's still something I've got to get better at just like everywhere in football, just about every area, but the reps are going to help."

Obviously having a better understanding of the scheme helps largely, but Lloyd having the ability to rush off the edge as Pederson noted also gives the Jaguars' defense flexibility because of Muma's impressive play off the bench.  It could potentially help get both of them on the field at the same time in certain situations. 

As well as both young linebackers played at times last year as rookies, and with a full offseason under their belts, that could be a very good thing for the Jaguars in 2023.  

Featured image via Bob Self/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK