Even though the Jacksonville Jaguars let Second-Team All-Pro linebacker Devin Lloyd bolt for the Carolina Panthers, their defense hasn't missed a beat. One big reason is that Ventrell Miller has done a great job of stepping into his shoes. Heck, his jaw-dropping surge this season has brought the spotlight back to the Jags' 2023 draft class, arguably one of the best former general manager Trent Baalke had during his stint in Duval.
Circling back to Miller, he's second on the team with 33 total tackles, and his Pro Football Focus grade of 91.8 is the best among linebackers in the NFL five weeks into the season. Simply put, the former Florida Gator has turned out to be a more than capable replacement for Lloyd.
This is why it would be baffling to send him to the Buffalo Bills at the trade deadline, as an NFL writer suggests.
The Jaguars are pitched to trade Ventrell Miller to the Bills for O-Line help
Ryan Roberts of AtoZ Sports suggests the Jags send Ventrell Miller to the Buffalo Bills in return for offensive tackle Tylan Grable and a 2027 seventh-round selection, arguing that Jacksonville could use help at offensive tackle after placing Anton Harrison on the Injured Reserve list. Below is his reasoning.
"Miller has quietly developed into one of the best coverage linebackers in the NFL," Roberts wrote. "For a Buffalo defense that has struggled to take away the middle of the field, he would be an immediate upgrade on the second level."
Roberts continued, "On the other side, Jacksonville is dealing with a big injury to offensive tackle Anton Harrison. The Jaguars could use some depth at the position in general, too."
What Roberts misses in his proposal is that Jacksonville already has depth at offensive tackle. It's hard to tell just how much time Harrison will miss after suffering a knee injury in Week 5, but Walker Little is the next man up. A second-round pick in 2021, Little has ample experience, appearing in 75 games with 19 starts.
Aside from the former Stanford Cardinal, the Jags also have sophomore Wyatt Milum and Daniel Faalele. Meanwhile, Grable has logged a combined 190 offensive snaps the past three seasons. No disrespect to the former UCF Knight, but he's no better option than what Jacksonville already has.
Even if you include the seventh-rounder, the Jaguars would be simply giving too much of what's pretty much a backup offensive lineman. This pitch is simply too lopsided in the Bills' favor.
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Grade the pitch: the Jags send Ventrell Miller to the Bills
You may have heard that Brian Thomas Jr. has been at the center of trade speculation. Leaving aside his inconsistency and drops, the Jaguars could afford to move him because they have the depth to overcome his potential departure. The same can't be said about Ventrell Miller.
While sophomore Branson Combs showed progress in the offseason, Miller ultimately outplayed him and is currently the better of the two. The Jags wouldn't trade him in the midst of a playoff push, let alone to a team they could face in the postseason like the Buffalo Bills.
Heck, unless someone offered a first-round selection, Jacksonville would maybe consider moving up from Miller. However, that's highly unlikely, as he's a pivotal piece of their defense. Sure, he's entering a contract year and could leave in free agency in 2027, but that's a bridge the team's brass will cross in due time.
For the time being, Ventrell Miller is a big part of the team's success, which is why they wouldn't trade him to a rival AFC team.
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