After winning 13 games and seizing the AFC South in 2025, the Jacksonville Jaguars are looking to make the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1998-1999. Shockingly, they opted to mostly sit out free agency while other teams in the division spared no expense in an effort to improve. Then again, the Jags didn't make a splash because they're confident that several players will either take the next step or break out.
Some of these players needed time to hone their skills. A few others were just stuck waiting for their chance. Either way, all of them are in a position to take off next season.
With this in mind, here are five Jacksonville players who are set up to have break out in 2025.
Bhayshul Tuten, Jaguars running back
This may be the easiest pick of the bunch. Although Bhayshul Tuten flashed as a rookie but didn't get a big workload behind Travis Etienne. Sure, he only averaged a measly 3.7 yards per carry as a rookie, but that was because he got more carries than Etienne in short-yardage situations. Rightly, it was going to bring down his final statline.
On the other hand, the former Virginia Tech had seven total touchdowns in a limited role. Imagine what he'll do in a full-time role with Etienne out of the picture.
Ventrell Miller, Jaguars linebacker
Ventrell Miller was a playmaker at Florida, but his propensity to get injured made him slide to the fourth round in the 2023 draft. To make matters worse, he tore his Achilles as a rookie. But after a few years, the former Gator has managed to get rid of the injury-prone label, as he's become a key contributor on the Jacksonville defense.
Miller spent the 2025 season in the shadow of Devin Lloyd. But now that he's with the Carolina Panthers, Miller can shine. Head coach Liam Coen has heaped praise on him throughout the offseason, going as far as saying that the fourth-year linebacker should be thrilled that the team's brass didn't bring in anyone to compete with him for the starting job.
Sure, Miller may need to fend off sophomore Branson Combs, but he's in a position to show out like Lloyd did last year.
Wyatt Milum, Jaguars offensive guard
Aside from rookie Emmanuel Pregnon, the team's brass didn't make any meaningful additions to the trenches, but that doesn't mean that there won't be changes up front. A third-round pick in 2025, sophomore Wyatt Milum flashed the aggressiveness the Jaguars craved before he suffered a knee injury in training camp that forced him to miss time.
The injury hindered Millum's development, but he's now back at full strength and ready to pick up where he left off. He should challenge incumbent Patrick Mekari for the job at right guard, and nobody would bat an eye if he crashes the starting lineup in training camp or at some point in the regular season.
Caleb Ransaw, Jaguars safety
Even though the Jags signed Eric Murray and used a third-round draft pick on Caleb Ransaw, safety was dubbed a potential weakness. It wasn't, as Murray brought stability at the position, and Antonio Johnson broke out. That said, Johnson wasn't the Week 1 starter. That title went to Andrew Wingard, who's now with the Arizona Cardinals.
But before Dewey was named the starter, Ransaw appeared to have a favorable chance to seize the job. However, a leg injury ended his rookie campaign before it started. The former Tulane Green Wave is back in the mix and will try to earn a role in what seems to be a crowded safety room.
It may not happen right away, but nobody would bat an eye if Ransaw steals the starting job away from Murray at some point in 2026. If he doesn't, he may still get ample playing time, as Jacksonville cannot afford not to use his playmaking skills.
Travis Hunter, Jaguars two-way player
The last breakout candidate may be the most obvious of the bunch. Travis Hunter had an illustrious collegiate career that culminated with the Heisman Trophy in 2025. A two-way player at Colorado, he made it clear that he wouldn't play for a team that limited him to one side of the ball. Fortunately, he landed with the Jaguars, who were more than thrilled to fulfill his request.
After a slow start to his rookie campaign, Hunter began to show his two-way skills before a knee injury brought his season to an end. He's expected to be back for training camp and will play cornerback full time after logging just 33 percent of the team's snaps on defense last year.
The fact that Hunter will be able to focus on playing cornerback will allow him to reach his potential at the position. Sure, he'll still get a substantial role at receiver, but he'll have a golden opportunity to leave his mark on defense.
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