The Jacksonville Jaguars may have won 13 games last year and captured an AFC South title, but replicating that could prove to be more difficult after losing star linebacker Devin Lloyd to the Carolina Panthers in free agency. The good news is that Ventrell Miller seems likely to step in and replace him.
With the Jags choosing not to add someone from a very deep and well-regarded 2026 NFL Draft class until Round 7, it appears as though defensive coordinator Anthony Campinale is more than comfortable riding with Miller as his No. 2 linebacker next to Foye Oluokun.
Pro Football Focus seems to think that Miller is going to be a breakout candidate for the 2026 season, noting that he graded out as one of the 15 best run-defending linebackers in the NFL. Perhaps an enhanced role alongside a player like Oluokun and under a defensive whiz kid like Campinale could put Miller in a position to make some noise.
Pro Football Focus names Jaguars LB Ventrell Miller as breakout candidate
Miller has not had an ideal path to success in the NFL. Arriving in Jacksonville as a fourth-round pick, yet locked behind Oluokun, Lloyd, and Chad Muma on the depth chart, Miller missed the entire 2023 season with an injury and has needed to fight and claw for every scrap of playing time.
Miller, an older player who will be in the middle of his age-27 season, has been a slightly above-average linebacker when pressed into action over the last two years, starting 11 games in that timespan. The big difference between him and Lloyd is their overall style of play.
Lloyd was one of the best coverage linebackers in the league, and that's one area where Miller can stand to improve. Jacksonville seems to be betting on Miller's ability to get better in that area, as Lloyd wasn't a maestro in that area by any stretch before he stepped on the gas pedal in the 2025 season.
If Miller impresses, not only will the Jaguars look smart for replacing Lloyd with a homegrown talent, but they could replace him for cheaper by adding someone who is not going to cost nearly as much as the former first-round pick on the open market.
Trent Baalke made some puzzling picks on Day 3 during his time in Jacksonville, but Miller might be one of the few who will be able to get the Baalke stink off him and produce in Jaguars teal.
Add us as a preferred source on Google