Free agency position review: What's the need at linebacker?

With NFL free agency at a near standstill, we will be evaluating the current state of each Jacksonville Jaguars' position group, specifically, where things stand and whether or not more moves need to be made.

Compared to the rest of the league, it's been a very quiet free agency period for the Jaguars.

GM James Gladstone recently explained the reason behind that, and it has to do with the 2027 compensatory draft picks the Jaguars are projected to land.

I would also guess that the Jaguars' tight salary cap situation isn't helping things either in that regard.

So the best avenue for addressing their remaining needs likely comes in the NFL draft, where the Jaguars have 11 picks -- including four in the top 100 -- and flexibility, allowing the board to dictate which direction they go at each selection.

Up next in our review are the linebackers.

If you missed our other positional reviews, you can find them below.

• Quarterbacks
• Running backs
• Wide receivers
• Tight ends
• Offensive line
• Defensive tackles
• Defensive ends

Jaguars' linebackers under contract after free agency

• Yasir Abdullah
• Branson Combs
• Dennis Gardeck
• Ventrell Miller
• Foye Oluokun
• Jalen McLeod
• Jack Kiser

Jaguars' free agency moves at linebacker

• Devin Lloyd signed with the Carolina Panthers.
• Jaguars re-sign free agent Dennis Gardeck.

What is the need at linebacker for the Jaguars after free agency?

Lloyd put together a breakout season in 2025, doing a bit of everything for the Jaguars' defense.

Gladstone recently highlighted the Jaguars' plan to replace Lloyd.

The first player Gladstone mentioned stepping up was Ventrell Miller.

When it comes to replacing his special teams impact, Branson Combs was brought up as well.

So perhaps, as of now, the plan is for Miller, Foye Oluokun, and Dennis Gardeck to be the Jaguars' starting linebackers when in their base alignment.

Anthony Campanile's defensive scheme can help with some of that heavy lifting as well.

However, that doesn't mean we can't rule out an addition at this position early on in the NFL draft.

That very much remains in play.

This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: NFL free agency: Evaluating Jaguars linebacker position