Von Miller knew this question would come. He was just hoping for once, just for one year, he could evade the subject, even as the Broncos prepare to face the Houston Texans.

Does he really need to tell you once again what he thinks of J.J. Watt?

“You all ask me this every year,” he said. “It’s about the same week every year. J.J., he’s an awesome talent. He’s incredible, a once-in-a lifetime player, but I’m a once-in-a-lifetime player, too. I feel like I go out there and I can play with the best of them.”

This isn’t braggadocio. This isn’t Miller feeding you a line for a salacious headline. This is Miller being honest.

Since he was selected with the No. 2 pick in the 2011 draft, Miller consistently has performed among the game’s top linebackers, compiling 49 sacks and earning three Pro Bowl selections. But it wasn’t until after his first two seasons that his role, his impact and his potential to do even more became apparent.

At least, not to him.

WATCH: Will Von Miller be the NFL Defensive Player of the Year?

Miller’s six-game suspension for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy in 2013 delayed a start to a season that would eventually be cut short by a torn anterior cruciate ligament. The Year of ’13 might be the lowest point in Miller’s career, but looking back, he says perhaps it was necessary.

“Experience helped me,” he said. “It helps everybody. You really don’t have your priorities in order when you first get here.”

When Miller is at practice now, he’s in his element. The field is his sanctuary. His work is proof.

Miller returned from knee surgery last season to make 14 sacks, sixth in the league, and 59 combined tackles in the Broncos’ 4-3 defense..

Now he’s in the 3-4, which exploits edge rushers and ratchets up the quarterback attacks. It’s a defense seemingly tailor-made to Miller, led by a coordinator in Phillips who is known to play to his players’ strengths. Miller has a few.

“He’s got tremendous speed and tremendous quickness, and a feel for the game,” Phillips said. “Some guys can run fast, but they can’t play football like he can. He can recognize where the ball is going quick and he can get to it.”

The Broncos re-opened training camp to fans this season, and the thousands who have flocked to Dove Valley have been treated to a show.

There’s Miller tearing through the young offensive line with ease. In Tuesday’s practice he made a bee-line to Peyton Manning at least four times, whipping around the edge and bear-hugging the quarterback with his long arms.”

There’s Miller, turning attempted blocks by tackles Ryan Harris and Ty Sambrailo into a game of limbo.

And there was Miller on Friday in Seattle, pushing off Justin Britt then sneaking up on Russell Wilson for a strip-sack 39 seconds into the Broncos’ preseason-opening victory.

Miller is eager to show he’s the finest defensive player in the NFL, perhaps a necessary mentality for any player. But in true Miller fashion, he’s just telling it like he sees it.

“He’s been a dominant player for a while now,” Phillips said. “I expect him to keep doing that.”

Nicki Jhabvala: njhabvala@denverpost.com or twitter.com/nickijhabvala

Defensive elite

A look at how Von Miller’s 2014 statistics compare to other top defensive players in NFL:

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