Jaguars' Ventrell Miller poised to replace Devin Lloyd, start at linebacker

If Ventrell Miller wanted to find out what the Jacksonville Jaguars ’ decision makers thought about him, the NFL’s Annual Meeting in Phoenix earlier this week was the place to be. And he would have liked what he heard from coach Liam Coen . If the Jaguars kicked off a game this weekend, Miller would be a starting outside linebacker, replacing Devin Lloyd ( signed with the Carolina Panthers ).

The Jaguars have not signed any competition for Miller and Branson Combs , and I put the spot below edge rusher, defensive tackle and tight end on the need list. Miller made 80 tackles in 482 snaps in 2024, but saw his numbers dip 38 tackles in 220 snaps last year. “When Ventrell was asked to play a lot of meaningful snaps last year, we saw some really good things and then there are things we can continue to coach off of,” Coen said.

“Anytime you give a player confidence without telling him anything — like right now, if you’re him and we haven’t signed anybody yet, he should say, ‘Well, at least they believe in me. At least I think I can do it. ’” Miller started the loss to the Los Angeles Rams and the overtime win at Las Vegas when Lloyd was out with a calf injury.

Miller had 14 tackles in a combined 119 snaps. He played only 41 defensive snaps over the final 10 games (regular season and playoff). The Jaguars could use a Day 3 pick on a linebacker to challenge Miller and Combs, but it seems likely the job will be Miller’s to lose entering training camp.