Predicting Jaguars' breakout candidates for 2026 NFL season

Taking an early look ahead to the 2026 NFL season, who are the potential breakout candidates this year for the Jacksonville Jaguars ? Last year, there were a few players who fell into that category, including Devin Lloyd, Parker Washington, and Cole Van Lanen. So who might make a big jump in 2026?

Our Jaguars Wire staff weighed in. LB Ventrell Miller Devin Lloyd was expected to leave Jacksonville this offseason, and his departure paved the way for Ventrell Miller to step into the spotlight. Originally drafted from the University of Florida in 2023, he spent his rookie season on injured reserve, but began making a strong impact during his sophomore year.

In 2025, under the new coaching staff, he began making even more of a good impression and became a key contributor on special teams. He also provided much-needed depth on defense and saw some first-team linebacker reps during training camp. James Gladstone specifically pointed to Miller as a potential replacement for Lloyd, clearly making him poised to have a breakout season in 2026.

Foyesade Oluokun and Dennis Gardeck will continue to be starters, but Miller has a good chance of landing a starting job. Despite his limited playing time, with an average of just 20 snaps per game, he's managed to get three forced fumbles, seven defended passes, four tackles for loss, and an interception. His career previously slowed down due to injury, but he's still proved to be a strong player and is due to have a big season in 2026.