NFL Network analyst Bucky Brooks believes not one, but two Jacksonville defenders are in for breakout seasons in 2024: Linebacker Devin Lloyd and safety Andre Cisco.
The duo of Jaguars made Brooks’ “All-Breakout” defensive team Friday, with Pittsburgh defensive tackle Keeanu Benton and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. representing the only other tandem from the same team on the list.
Players without All-Pro or Pro Bowl recognition in their career thus far were qualified to make the list, per Brooks.
Find Brooks’ reasoning for including Lloyd and Cisco below.
Lloyd could be the biggest benefactor of the Jaguars’ scheme change under new [defensive coordinator] Ryan Nielsen. The third-year pro could reprise his role as a [strong-side] linebacker, which helped him earn high marks as a prospect in the 2022 draft class. A unique playmaker with instincts, awareness and pass-rushing skills, Lloyd can make his mark as a linebacker who attacks from all angles. He thrived in a similar role at the University of Utah, which helped him walk away with a plethora of honors after dotting his résumé with splash play after splash play. Though the Jaguars haven’t been entirely open about Lloyd’s expected role, it’s not hard to envision the third-year pro crushing it as a DPR (designated pass rusher) with on- and off-ball linebacker skills.
[Cisco] has a chance to become an elite defender in a new defensive scheme that suits his talents as a ballhawk. Cisco already has logged seven interceptions over the past two seasons while playing as a center fielder in a system that lived and died with blitz pressure. Now, though, the Jaguars’ young standout could see his takeaway number spike as the designated deep-middle defender in a scheme designed to bait quarterbacks into mistakes. Cisco is a high-IQ player with a nose for the ball; his range and awareness could help him spark a defensive revival in Jacksonville.
Lloyd, Jacksonville’s second first-round pick alongside edge rusher Travon Walker (Jaguars Wire’s pick for the team’s breakout player this season) in 2022, has compiled 242 tackles including two for loss, three interceptions, 15 defended passes and four forced fumbles over 32 games with the Jaguars.
Cisco, a third-round selection by the Jaguars in 2021, has recorded 161 tackles with two for loss, 1.5 sacks, seven interceptions, 17 defended passes and three forced fumbles.