![Jacksonville Jaguars running back Bhayshul Tuten (33) returns a kick off return during the first quarter in an NFL football AFC Wild Card playoff matchup, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. Bills lead 10-7 at the half over the Jaguars. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_677,y_211,w_3244,h_1824/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/55/01ks0h4fvdx6pzdjnshw.jpg "Jacksonville Jaguars running back Bhayshul Tuten (33) returns a kick off return during the first quarter in an NFL football AFC Wild Card playoff matchup, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. Bills lead 10-7 at the half over the Jaguars. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]")
The Jacksonville Jaguars didn't make a splash in free agency but did a good job of addressing the larger scale roster in the NFL Draft (in spite of the criticism). Couple that with the fact that they have a talented core in place, and the Jags have a good chance of seizing the AFC South for the second year in a row.
Of course, Jacksonville's odds will increase considerably if a handful of players take a leap next year. And with this in mind, here are three breakout candidates.
Ventrell Miller, Jaguars linebacker
The Jaguars let Devin Lloyd walk in free agency. Some of that stemmed from their limited amount of cap space, but having Ventrell Miller in the mix also played a huge role. A fourth-round pick in 2023, the former Florida Gator missed his rookie campaign with a torn Achilles but flashed potential when he returned the following year.
Heck, Miller outplayed Lloyd in 2024, which is why it was a bit surprising that he didn't compete for the starting job last year. But with Lloyd out of the mix, he's got a clear path. Now, it will be up to him to make the most out of his opportunity.
Working in Miller's favor is that the coaching staff is high on him. Specifically, Liam Coen stated the fourth-year linebacker should feel good about the team not bringing in competition in the offseason.
Ruke Orhorhoro, Jaguars defensive tackle
While Ruke Orhorhoro joined the Jaguars just before the 2026 NFL Draft, he's got two seasons under his belt. As a rookie with the Atlanta Falcons, the Clemson Tiger was hindered by injuries. However, he showed substantial improvement in 2025, especially as a pass rusher, racking up three sacks.
On the other hand, Orhorhoro has his work cut out for him. He needs to get better at stopping the run. But if he becomes a more-rounded defensive tackle, he will be poised to make an impact for Jacksonville.
Bhayshul Tuten, Jaguars running back
One of the biggest questions surrounding the Jaguars next season is whether Bhayshul Tuten can fill the void left by Travis Etienne's exit in free agency. The Jaguars are confident that he will. But despite his potential, he's an unproven commodity and faces an uphill battle after a relatively quiet rookie campaign.
Before the NFL Draft, the new regime wasn't sold on either Etienne or Tank Bigsby. This partly explains why Jacksonville picked Tuten and LeQuint Allen in Rounds 4 and 7, respectively. But in the end, Etienne was able to stay at the top of the depth chart, while Tuten dealt with a few hurdles.
For starters, the former Virginia Tech Hokie dealt with fumbles, a red flag coming out of college. The good news is that Liam Coen has downplayed the issue. On the other hand, he averaged a paltry 3.7 yards per carry in the regular season.
The good news is that Tuten showcased big-play capability in the playoffs, toting the rock four times for 51 yards against the Buffalo Bills. Moreover, Coen has stated that the coaching staff has yet to take advantage of his skill set. If that's true, the NFL could see the sophomore running back take off next season.
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