The Jacksonville Jaguars may have found their next defensive star—and he's been right under their noses all along.
When the Jaguars lost standout linebacker Devin Lloyd to free agency this offseason, many analysts expected the defense to take a significant step back. Lloyd's departure, driven largely by salary cap constraints, was a key factor in Jacksonville's lower ranking in preseason power polls. But the team's front office and coaching staff had a different perspective: they believed they already had the answer waiting in the wings.
That answer is Ventrell Miller, a fourth-round pick from the 2023 NFL Draft who has been quietly building momentum. Now, Pro Football Focus has officially named Miller a breakout candidate for the 2026 season, and the buzz around him is growing louder by the day.
PFF analyst Bradley Locker recently compiled his 2026 NFL All-Breakout team, predicting which players are poised to become household names at each position. At linebacker, his pick was Miller—and the numbers back it up.
Last season, working primarily as a backup, Miller posted an impressive 72.6 overall PFF grade across 220 snaps. His run defense was particularly dominant, earning an 82.8 PFF run-defense mark that ranked 15th among all NFL linebackers. While his pass coverage numbers were more modest early on, Miller showed marked improvement down the stretch, posting a coverage grade of at least 69.2 in three of his final four games—a sign that his all-around game is developing rapidly.
With Lloyd now in Carolina, the Jaguars are actively searching for a reliable partner to pair with veteran linebacker Foye Oluokun. Based on the team's roster construction and Miller's trajectory, that role appears to be his for the taking.
Miller has already made 11 career starts since being drafted, and he earned increased defensive snaps last season after turning heads in training camp. His performance improved steadily throughout 2025, with particular progress in reducing missed tackles—a key metric for any linebacker looking to take the next step.
If Miller continues on his current upward arc and locks down a starting spot, Locker's prediction is likely to become reality. For Jaguars fans, that means one thing: a new defensive playmaker is ready to emerge, and the 2026 season could be his coming-out party.