Devin Lloyd’s September surge earns him AFC Defensive Player of the Month after a four-takeaway blast in four games. The Jaguars have turned Lloyd into a defensive cornerstone, threading his playmaking into their scheme and elevating Jacksonville’s turnover upside. His ability to chase plays and produce in coverage and the rush has fantasy managers eyeing a volatile, high-floor LB with frequent mistake-forces.

He capped the stretch with an eight-tackle, two-interception outing and already sits atop turnover charts among his peers, matching franchise legend Rashean Mathis for four takeaways in four games. With seven career INTs, Lloyd’s ceiling feels season-long and dynasty-worthy as Jacksonville leans into his growth and the defense’s momentum.

Jacksonville signals a heavy, matchup-driven plan at middle linebacker in Week 1. Devin Lloyd and Ventrell Miller will split the snaps, with each bringing a distinct forte, while Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby loom as a heavy backfield duo. Bhayshul Tuten also in the mix, creating a four-man rotation that shifts based on in-game situations.

For fantasy managers, the plan means upside and uncertainty in IDP and in Jaguars backfield projections. Lloyd’s run-stopping chops and Miller’s coverage presence offset a potentially volatile early-down role, while Etienne, Bigsby, and Tuten complicate volume forecasts for Week 1, making matchup-based decisions key.

Devin Lloyd isn’t named an outright Week 1 starter for the Jaguars, with the middle linebacker spot listed as Lloyd or Miller. Expect a fluid snap share as Jacksonville installs a new scheme under Campanile. Lloyd posted strong run-stop numbers last season (106 tackles on 111 tries) but allowed 11.6 yards per catch in coverage with one interception. Miller, a 2023 third-rounder, logged substantial snaps previously and could push for more playing time if Lloyd struggles. Week 1 against Miami should reveal how the rotation shakes out, and it may set the tone for the season.

Chad Muma was cut by the Jaguars as part of roster reductions, ending a three-year run that saw him notch 692 defensive snaps and a heavy special-teams footprint (324 snaps last season across five of six phases). His coverage numbers were a concern (88% completions, 10.3 yards per catch), and a crowded linebacker room—with Devin Lloyd, Foyesade Oluokun, Ventrell Miller, Dennis Gardeck, and rookies Jack Kiser and Jalen McLeod—made him expendable.

Fantasy takeaway: Muma’s exit tightens Jacksonville’s LB mix and could push Lloyd into a larger role, with Kiser and McLeod pushing for backups and special-teams volume. Dennis Gardeck’s addition adds pass-rush depth, potentially loosening Muma’s previously steady special-teams reliance. Monitor how the new depth affects Week 1 snaps and IDP value in deeper formats.

Jacksonville used Week 2 of the preseason to lay out a clear three-part message for fantasy managers. Trevor Lawrence looked surgical, carving up the Saints with quick reads and accurate balls while the offensive line bought him time and the running backs chipped in solid rushes. The lone blemish was a handoff fumble, but the overall feel was efficient and repeatable.

Parker Washington reinforced the idea he’ll have a role this season, catching both Lawrence targets for 19 yards and a touchdown, and showing the versatility to line up inside and outside. He stood out even with Brown and Hunter in the mix, signaling snaps on the outside this year as well as in the slot the Liam Coen scheme demands.

Defensively, Jacksonville pivoted to a noticeably more aggressive approach in 2025. They pressed more at the second level, with Kiser, Miller, and Wingard among the players delivering QB hits. Expect more blitzes, simulated pressures, and movement up front, aimed at creating better matchups and more disruption for opposing offenses.

In fantasy terms, Lawrence remains a solid baseline with upside if the line holds. Washington’s breakout vibe matters for deeper leagues, while the defense’s push could translate into more sacks and pressure-driven fantasy points, especially in IDP formats or weekly streaming of Jacksonville’s unit against weaker lines.