When linebacker Devin Lloyd left the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency, he left a massive void on defense. Although he was solid in his first three seasons in Duval, it wasn't until 2025 that he became the game-altering talent the Jags envisioned when they drafted him 27th overall in 2022.
Following Lloyd's breakout campaign and his departure to the Carolina Panthers, the team's brass will be tasked with replacing him, but there's a chance that they already have the answer on the roster.
The Jaguars could roll with Ventrell Miller after Devin Lloyd left
Back in 2024, Devin Lloyd was phased out in favor of Ventrell Miller, who ended up appearing in 15 games with nine starts last year.
With Lloyd taking a huge step in 2025, Miller was once again relegated to a backup role, but he'll now have the chance to prove that he deserves to start.
A fourth-round pick in 2023, Miller slid in the draft because he sat out a good chunk of 2021 with a torn biceps and played through a foot injury the following year. Then, the former Florida Gator tore his ACL in his rookie season. Since then, though, he has managed to stay mostly healthy and should get a fair shot if he avoids the injury bug.
Foyesade Oluokun and Dennis Gardeck will once again start for the Jaguars in 2026. But for the No. 3 job, Miller should get a crack. Sophomore Jack Kiser, Yasir Abdullah, and Jalen McLeod are in the mix, but all three may be better suited for a backup role at this stage of their respective careers.
The Jaguars have options beyond Ventrell Miller
The Jaguars declined the fifth-year option on Devin Lloyd's rookie deal in 2025. He proceeded to have a breakout season, showing a substantial improvement in coverage and registering a career-best five interceptions. The former Utah Ute parlayed his banner season into a four-year, $45 million deal with the Panthers.
Jacksonville didn't try to sign a linebacker in free agency, but general manager James Gladstone says the team is comfortable with its current group. This is why the Jags passed on Quay Walker, who would've been a logical option because he played for defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile when he was with the Green Bay Packers in 2024. However, he bolted for the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Jags could target someone like Anthony Hill Jr. or Jacob Rodriguez to replace Lloyd in Round 2 of the draft, but the team's brass may want to prioritize addressing the defensive line and the pass rush. Sure, the front office could still add depth at linebacker in later rounds.
Nevertheless, it would make sense to give Ventrell Miller a chance to show what he's got before they consider external options. After all, he's never lacked talent and could enjoy a banner season under Anthony Campanile just like Lloyd did in 2025.
If Ventrell Miller isn't the long-term replacement for Devin Lloyd, the Jaguars can simply move on from him in 2027 and then fully turn their attention to bolstering the linebacker corps.