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Jaguars LB Miller Continuing Breakout Season
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- Jaguars LB Miller Continuing Breakout Season
(USA TODAY Network/Reuters Connect)
As the NFL season has progressed, the Jacksonville Jaguars continue to see more growth from their young talents.
Travis Hunter has begun to excel as a defensive back, while Ventrell Miller has been a great fit alongside veteran linebacker Foyesade Oluokun .
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Through the opening four weeks, Miller has recorded six or more tackles in each game, adding a forced fumble and pass defensed.
On Saturday, Pro Football Focus (PFF) released their grades for the best ten defensive players in the NFL, with Miller coming in at No. 4 (90.2).
Against the Cincinnati Bengals , Miller had one of his quieter games this season, but played a strong part in the overall defensive effort that held Joe Burrow to 17 points.
Forcing fumbles is a strength for the former fourth-round pick, as he forced two last season and has looked aggressive in his opportunities this year.
This offseason, Jaguars star EDGE Joshua Hines-Allen made a bold prediction for Miller, saying that he will lead the entire league in punch-outs this upcoming season.
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While he has a long way to cashing in his teammate's belief, Miller's risen level of play continues to anchor Jacksonville's defense.
After suffering an Achilles tear before ever being able to play during his rookie year, Miller posted 80 total tackles in his first professional season (2024).
But last year, Miller was a supplementary piece behind former Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd last season, filling in nicely as a reserve.
According to PFF, Miller's coverage grade inside the box was within the 88th percentile.
Miller also recorded his first career interception, adding four passes defensed.
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With Lloyd departing in free agency, covering the middle of the field became a priority for Miller, as head coach Liam Coen talked about during the offseason.
"This is not a setting in which we're gonna feel him do what he does best, which we know is thump, stop the run, be somebody that can run sideline to sideline and get downhill," Coen said. "So we're trying to stress him and stress those guys in coverage a lot more this spring, and I think he's responded."
Through two games, the Jaguars' coverage in the middle of their defense has been stout, with opposing tight ends mustering just six catches.
If Miller can continue this level of play, he and Oluokun could grow into one of the best tackling linebacker duos in the entire league.
Ahead of Sunday's international matchup against the beat up Philadelphia Eagles , expect Miller to be looking to make an instant impact.
