Who could be the Jacksonville Jaguars’ biggest X-factors on defense for the 2026 NFL season?
We know that for the Jaguars to win games, their star players like Josh Hines-Allen, Travon Walker, Travis Hunter, and others must consistently play at high levels.
But the X-factor, who may not be of the same caliber as the players mentioned, can still have a major impact on the outcome, depending on how they play.
Jacksonville Jaguars’ 2026 X-factors on defense
LB Ventrell Miller: The Jaguars lost linebacker Devin Lloyd to free agency after a breakout season, in which he received second-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors. The big question for Jacksonville through the offseason has accordingly become how the team will replace him, and while it’s too soon to know for sure, it seems that the responsibility will fall on Ventrell Miller.
Miller has previously served mostly in a rotational role, but he had an impressive performance in last year’s training camp, and he has gotten progressively better with each season. 2026 could be a breakout season for him, and if it is, the Jaguars may find themselves missing Lloyd less than the analysts have predicted. Miller is known to be great against the run, and he proved to be capable of forcing turnovers last season, despite taking limited snaps. If he can rise to the occasion, Miller might just elevate the entire defense with him. – Casandra Chesser
DT Ruke Orhorhoro: The Jaguars need to generate pressure on the quarterback much more consistently from the interior defensive line position. Particularly down the stretch in 2025, Jacksonville struggled to do that. The addition of Orhorhoro can hopefully provide a boost in that regard.
Last season with Atlanta, Orhorhoro, who primarily was on the field for passing downs, generated 30 pressures and four sacks. Among 121 defensive tackles, he ranked tied for 51st in PFF’s pass rush productivity metric.
A quick push and steady pressure from the interior defensive line unit is the best way to quickly wreck an offensive play. As we look for ways that this unit can improve in 2026, getting more regular pressure on the quarterback from the tackle position will go a long way in accomplishing that. – Paul Bretl
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: 2 Jaguars’ X-factors on defense heading into training camp
Reporting by Paul Bretl and Casandra Chesser, Jaguars Wire / Jaguars Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Paul Bretl and Casandra Chesser, Jaguars Wire | USA TODAY Network
