One of the keys to the success the Jacksonville Jaguars' defense enjoyed in 2025 was its ability to force turnovers.

It may have been the biggest key.

The Jaguars ranked 27th in the NFL with 32 sacks and was 21st in passing yards allowed per game, yet still finished 8th in the league in scoring defense.

That's what can happen when you create 31 takeaways (second most in the NFL) and have a plus-13 turnover differential (third).

Unfortunately for the Jaguars, their best turnover machine last year, linebacker Devin Lloyd, left Jacksonville to join the Carolina Panthers in free agency.

Lloyd finished the 2025 season with five interceptions (tied for second in the NFL), including a 99-yard pick-six off of Patrick Mahomes, helping the Jags defeat the Kansas City Chiefs in a game that announced to the world that the Jaguars had arrived.

With Lloyd no longer in Duval, will Jacksonville still be able to generate turnovers, which were so critical to last season's success?

That is the question being posed by Travis Holmes of Big Cat Country in a tremendous article detailing just how vital turnovers were for the Jaguars' defense in 2025.

Jacksonville had a pretty simple formula for its 13-4 season a year ago: win the turnover battle, win the game.

Holmes notes that the Jaguars had nine games last season where they won the turnover battle, winning eight. Including the team's playoff loss against the Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville went 3-3 in games with an even turnover differential and 2-1 in the three games they committed more than they forced.

Without the takeaways, the Jaguars' defense would have been merely average. Jacksonville went 12-3 in the games where it forced at least one turnover, including playoffs, and 1-2 when it forced none.

How will they replace Lloyd's ability to get the ball back for his offense?

Lloyd wasn't the only Jaguar with a knack for recording interceptions. 

Safety Antonio Johnson, who didn't even enter the starting lineup until midway through the season, equaled Lloyd's interception total and ended the season as PFF's highest-graded safety in the NFL.

2026 will be Johnson's first time entering a season as a starter, and he will need to continue his prowess for forcing turnovers.

He should have some help. Jacksonville will be adding a trio of ballhawks to its secondary this year. Jalen Huskey, the team's 2026 third-round pick, recorded 11 picks over his final three collegiate seasons. The Jaguars will finally get to see last year's third-round pick, Caleb Ransaw, on the field after losing his entire rookie year to injury.

Both Huskey and Ransaw will be competing with incumbent Eric Murray for playing time alongside Johnson, and both are young playmakers who offer more in the turnover department than Murray.

Travis Hunter will also have a full-time role at cornerback in 2026. The second-year, two-way phenom has All-Pro potential as a CB and should also be able to create turnovers.

Few defenses were as turnover-dependent as the Jaguars were last season. Losing Lloyd will certainly hurt in that department, but Jacksonville's defense should remain one of the best in the NFL.

The additions of Hunter, Ransaw, and Huskey to the secondary should help Jacksonville's pass defense improve and potentially record plenty of interceptions.

A healthy Travon Walker, who was held to only 3.5 sacks in 2025 while playing through injuries, should provide a tremendous boost to the Jaguars' pass-rush.

Even without Lloyd, Jacksonville's defense may be stronger overall in 2026. A decrease in turnovers may happen, but improvements in other areas should more than make up for it.

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