Jaguars' Star Hines-Allen Gives Bold Prediction About LB Miller

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While the Jacksonville Jaguars' front office retained most of last year's roster, the team did suffer big losses with Travis Etienne and Devin Lloyd signing with NFC South representatives.

Lloyd, who had become a staple of the Jags' defense since being drafted in the first round in 2022, serving as one of the league's premier young defenders, will be a difficult void to fill.

But, the Jaguars have plenty of young talent on the defensive side of the ball to find their off-ball linebacker next to Foyesade Oluokun.

On Monday, star Jacksonville edge rusher Joshua Hines-Allen mentioned third-year LB Ventrell Miller as a player he expects to have a big season.

Hines-Allen called the former Florida Gator a "true baller," while predicting that he will lead the entire league in punch-outs this upcoming season.

Miller has been a player tagged as a potential breakout candidate on defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile's unit, coming off of a year where he forced two fumbles.

Of course, Miller will have to record a few more "peanut punches" this season to earn the top spot, but having two punch-outs in a year where Miller was used as a supplementary piece in the LB room is a good start.

Miller's hard-hitting ability and pursuit are two of his top qualities, which fits perfectly in defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile's scheme.

Head coach Liam Coen talked about his vision for the former fourth-round pick in Spring OTA's.

"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."

According to PFF, Miller's coverage grade inside the box, where he will be expected to do most of his work, was within the 88th percentile. Miller also recorded his first career interception, adding four passes defensed.

With the absence of Lloyd, who was one of the best coverage LBs in the NFL, Miller will be expected to play a strong role in covering the middle of the field.

Strong coverage will also allow Oluokun to do what he does best, which is rack up tackles and pursue ball carriers.

While getting back to the 31-turnover mark as a defense is a lofty goal for this upcoming year, development for players like Miller and defensive back Montaric Brown will dictate how dynamic Campanile's unit can be.

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