The Jacksonville Jaguars have seemingly found a budding young star on their defense in Ventrell Miller. The third-year linebacker has been dynamic through the opening two weeks, and sits atop PFF's linebacker grades.
The Jacksonville Jaguars' defensive effort has been strong through two weeks, allowing just 15 points per game to opposing offenses and holding together at all three levels.
The linebacking crew has been excellent, limiting opponents' running games and flying around the field to make tackles.
Third-year linebacker Ventrell Miller has been perhaps the most impressive, with his 91.1 Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade leading all players at his positions through the opening two weeks.
Fred Warner and Roquan Smith are the two most-notable players within the top-five graded behind Miller, with seven All-Pro First Team honors between them.
Through two games, Miller has recorded 17 total tackles, a forced fumble, and a sack, holding down the middle of Anthony Campanile's defensive unit.
Forcing fumbles is a strength for the former fourth-round pick, as he forced two last season.
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.
Right now, Miller trails a handful of players with multiple forced fumbles, with Buffalo Bills defensive end Greg Rousseau leading the NFL with three.
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.
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.
As Travis Hunter gets back to full speed alongside Montaric "Buster" Brown, and Jourdan Lewis in the secondary, having Miller and Foyesade Oluokun playing at such a high level is crucial.
The New England Patriots, Jacksonville's Week 3 matchup, are without their top wide receiver A.J. Brown, and will likely rely on TE Hunter Henry and RB TreVeyon Henderson to carry the load.
Miller's continued strides will be critical for Sunday's matchup, especially with supplementary pieces like Branson Combs missing time.
