CAR Devin Lloyd
NFL defensive player. Position: Linebacker. Team: Carolina Panthers.
Quick Facts
- Position: Middle Linebacker
- Team: CAR (Carolina Panthers)
2026 Outlook
Recent Pro Bowl linebacker acquired by the Carolina Panthers in 2026 offseason to bolster a historically weak pass-rush defense. Lloyd finished the 2025 season with the Jacksonville Jaguars with 6 takeaways (tied for most on the team among 31 total) and earned his first Pro Bowl selection. The Panthers signed him alongside edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and others to address what was the league's worst quarterback pressure rate (26.2% in 2025). Lloyd's run-stopping ability and blitz package versatility will be critical in DC Ejiro Evero's defensive scheme (per One Disturbing Number Stands Out the Most for the Carolina Panthers).
The Athletic's Ted Nguyen ranked Lloyd among the 10 most versatile players in the NFL for 2026. Lloyd excelled across all roles: 81.1 coverage grade (3rd at position), 82.2 pass-rushing grade, 83.2 run-defense grade, and 89.1 overall defensive grade (3rd at position). He posted 10 QB hits with a 28.1% pressure rate, added 25 pressures (11 more than his previous high), and allowed only one TD with a 57.1 passer rating. Lloyd has nine career interceptions and 26 passes defensed. His three-year deal ($45M) ranks just 7th at linebacker in annual value, and should age well given his proven production (per Panthers' free-agent pickup ranked among NFL's most versatile players).
Role / Depth Chart
Middle linebacker in Evero's 3-4 defense. Expected to contribute on run defense and blitz packages to improve Panthers' anemic pass rush.
Recent News
- 2026-03-09 — 2026 NFL Free Agent Rankings: Top 250 players (2026 NFL Free Agent Rankings: Top 250 players)
- 2026-04-20 — 2026 NFL mock draft: Jordan Reid's predictions for 257 picks (2026 NFL mock draft: Jordan Reid's predictions for 257 picks)
- 2026-04-24 — Biggest need for every team entering Day 2 of 2026 NFL Draft: What all 32 clubs must fix (Biggest need for every team entering Day 2 of 2026 NFL Draft: What all 32 clubs must fix)
- 2026-05-16 — 2026 NFL free agency grades: Aaron Rodgers, Dexter Lawrence (2026 NFL free agency grades: Aaron Rodgers, Dexter Lawrence)
- 2026-05-15 — Bold Predictions for Every Outcome of Colts' Crucial 2026 Campaign (Bold Predictions for Every Outcome of Colts' Crucial 2026 Campaign)
- 2026-06-17 — How good (or bad) can it get? The best- and worst-case scenarios for every NFL team in... (How good (or bad) can it get? The best- and worst-case scenarios for every NFL team in...)
- 2026-06-08 — Panthers defense is suddenly carrying a scary message into 2026 (Panthers defense is suddenly carrying a scary message into 2026)
- 2026-06-05 — Every NFL defense ranked from 1 to 32 entering 2026 (Every NFL defense ranked from 1 to 32 entering 2026)
- 2026-05-07 — Fantasy Football Defensive/Special Teams on the Decline (Fantasy Football Defensive/Special Teams on the Decline)
- 2026-05-05 — Ranking the 10 Best NFL Defenses Entering Offseason Workouts (Ranking the 10 Best NFL Defenses Entering Offseason Workouts)