Column: San Diegans Devin Lloyd, Chris Olave see heavy duty as NFL rookies - The San Diego Union-Tribune

2022-09-24 03:13:44 By : Ms. Melody Song

Chula Vista’s Devin Lloyd will try to bring West Coast flavor Sunday to the Jacksonville Jaguars when they face the favored Chargers in Inglewood.

The Otay Ranch High alum, an NFL rookie, starts at inside linebacker for a franchise that’s winless in five road games against the Chargers and 3-15 all-time on the West Coast.

Lloyd fueled the team’s breakout Sunday in which the Jags posted their first shutout in four years, 24-0 against the Colts. The rookie’s 50-snap performance earned a good grade from Pro Football Focus.

“I feel like I put a lot of work in college, and it’s helping me right now,” Lloyd told reporters. “I’m just going to continue to try to get better.”

Lloyd played in 47 games with Utah.

In January 2017, when the Chargers announced their move north from San Diego, Lloyd was coming off a big senior season as a safety, receiver and punter for Otay Ranch. He had four interceptions in a game against rival Eastlake.

In college he showed playmaking speed and agility while transforming himself into a decorated inside linebacker.

Generally, NFL teams don’t value inside linebackers as highly as several other positions. The Jaguars made an exception for the 6-foot-3, 247-pound Lloyd, drafting him in the first round — where the salaries are fully guaranteed — after climbing six spots via a trade with Tampa Bay.

Taken 27th, Lloyd has played in 94 percent of the defense’s snaps. Versatile, he’s lined up at four linebacker spots and in the slot.

Jacksonville’s improved front, featuring rookie Travon Walker, drafted first out of Georgia, has freed up Lloyd.

As a zone defender, he intercepted Matt Ryan’s fourth-quarter pass last week when the ball fluttered after lineman Foley Fatukasi deflected it. With 17 tackles, Lloyd leads the team.

On the Kroenke Dome’s carpeted field, he may have to chase shifty Austin Ekeler, a rusher and receiver, as the Jags (1-1) try to upset a Chargers (1-1) team that might have to start Chase Daniel at quarterback if Justin Herbert (rib cartilage) can’t play. Herbert was listed Friday as questionable for the game.

Compared with Lloyd, receiver Chris Olave’s NFL adventure appeared trickier last week.

Olave tried to catch long passes from a quarterback, Jameis Winston, who played despite four fractures in his back.

Winston threw six passes of 20-plus yards toward Olave; only one went for a completion, a 51-yard gain, in the Saints’ 20-10 loss to Tampa Bay. Olave finished with five catches of 13 targets. He led the team with 80 receiving yards.

The Bucs’ defense, better than most, posed a welcome-to-the-NFL challenge. Olave ran against above-average cornerbacks in Jamel Dean and Carlton Davis, while Winston tried to solve Todd Bowles’ well-coordinated coverages and rushes.

Olave has lined up mostly on the perimeter, also operating from the slot. He’s taken part in 75 percent of the offense’s snaps, catching eight passes for 121 yards.

Lloyd and Olave attended high schools a few miles apart in Chula Vista, ventured out of state for college and went 11th and 27th in this year’s draft. Olave attracted an Ohio State scholarship amid a huge senior year at San Marcos Mission Hills under Chris Hauser.

This week, the Saints (1-1) are a 2.5-point favorite against Carolina (0-2).

If Justin Herbert can’t suit up for the Chargers on Sunday, their challenges on offense will be much steeper against the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars.

Matthew Stafford looks to overcome his interception issues as the Rams look to pick up an important early-season win against the Arizona Cardinals.

Justin Herbert’s health is the biggest unknown for bettors heading into Sunday’s NFL Week 3 matchup between the Chargers and Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Rams are the betting favorite heading into their Sunday NFL Week 3 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, but where is the smart money on the game?

While observers wonder if Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (rib cartilage injury) will be able to play against Jacksonville, he already threw last week with fresh injury.

The Rams signed tight end Kendall Blanton, defensive back Shaun Jolly and veteran running back Malcolm Brown to the practice squad.

Privacy Policy Terms of Service Sign Up For Our Newsletters