John Franklin-Myers And The Bucs
February 19th, 2025
Remember when the slimy Saints and their head coach Sean Payton let stud edge rusher Trey Hendrickson walk out of their building to Cincinnati in free agency?
What a move! Their pass defense has never been the same.
Payton now has another edge rusher/inside rusher that may be on the move because of salary concerns: John Franklin-Myers.
Over at NFL.com, there is speculation in a piece about potential salary cap casualties that Payton’s Broncos will part ways with the 28-year-old pass rusher who found 7 sacks and 18 QB hits in part-time duty last season.
The Broncos are right in the middle of the league in cap space and have a promising quarterback (Bo Nix) on his rookie contract, so they’re not in bad shape financially. That said, if they want to make extra room — perhaps to acquire some weaponry for Nix — the first candidate for release would be John Franklin-Myers.
Despite appearing in all 17 games (16 starts), Franklin-Myers played just 46 percent of defensive snaps. He still managed seven sacks and 18 QB hits on those snaps, which is a solid production rate, but he carries a $10 million cap hit in 2025 and can be released prior to June 1 for $7 million in savings. It’s not a necessary move by any means, but it’s a possible one, depending on Denver’s priorities.
Kudos to the Broncos for trading only a sixth-round pick to the Jets for the rights to Franklin-Myers during last year’s draft.
Franklin-Myers is sort of a more ferocious version of Logan Hall. He can play the run and he can play outside and inside, though he certainly has been more dangerous as an inside rusher.
Joe will put it this way, Franklin-Myers has 52 quarterback hits through the past three seasons versus 17 for Hall.
Joe wouldn’t chase Franklin-Myers if he were cut, but Joe could see Todd Bowles absolutely loving Franklin-Myers for his size, versatility and juice. Perhaps he could replace Greg Gaines?
Before fans ask why the Broncos would feel comfortable dumping the guy, Joe suspects it has a lot to do with the team leading the NFL with 63 sacks last season.
February 19th, 2025 at 5:17 pm
Joe … ‘speculation in a piece about potential salary cap casualties that Payton’s Broncos will part ways with the 28-year-old pass rusher who found 7 sacks and 18 QB hits in part-time duty last season.’
John Franklin-Myers is exactly the type of defensive player who the Bucs should be targeting. Still young (28), excelled in part-time duty, good size (6’4″ & 288 lbs) and big enough to play inside or outside. And oh ya, he probably wouldn’t break the bank, at least for a year or two. I’d sign someone like him in a heartbeat if the opportunity arose.
February 19th, 2025 at 5:37 pm
The NFL article reminds me of those ridiculous pieces about how the Bucs might cut Mike Evans this offseason.
Anywho, quickly reading some Broncos blogs, and yeah – they say the idea they’d cut this guy is nonsense and isn’t going to happen.
February 19th, 2025 at 5:37 pm
Im def onboard with this…..and keeping our draft picks.
February 19th, 2025 at 6:29 pm
Saw on twitter last week that he was top 5 in pressure rate or some DT stat and Sauce was lamenting what could have been with Williams on that Jets front.
I’d love to snag this guy if he was cut.
February 19th, 2025 at 7:40 pm
Guys like him are the only ones we look for, many seem to pay off, I’m good with it
February 19th, 2025 at 7:57 pm
bowles is a defensive coach whats the point of him if he cant make the most of cheaper but solid players
February 19th, 2025 at 8:59 pm
Now if I were coach for a day, I’d take a long look at that there Trey Hendrickson. Doesn’t his contract expire sooner or later with the bengals?
February 19th, 2025 at 9:05 pm
THE BUCS AND ODDBALL.
Years removed from active play, Oddball, still has what it takes to lead the Bucs pass rush. Just look at these stats…
1 sack. Same one he’s always had.
Hasn’t missed a game in 15 years.
Can hit a case of beer harder than Tyson upper cut.
Can chase down wings even harder.
Been known to have a kegerator in his locker.
He’s not as good as he once was, but maybe, just maybe, he’s good once as he ever was.
February 19th, 2025 at 10:33 pm
If Denver cuts him, the Buc’s chances of winning the bidding for his services are small.
Would Denver trade him to the Bucs? Would they trade him for a fourth round draft pick?
Supposedly, the Broncos needs are running back, tight end, wide receiver, maybe safety and cornerback depth.
Would the Broncos want Tucker? I don’t understand why the Bucs didn’t use him more last year. But, if they are not going to use him, Franklin-Myers would be good value for him.
Would the Broncos want Durham or Culp? Presumably Durham who seems to be starting to get the hang of things, so I would hate to lose him.
The only safeties that would likely interest the Broncos are Winfield, Izien and Smith – no! Winfield’s salary makes it tempting after last year, but hopefully he will also have a bounce back year.
I am against cutting Dean. But, trading him – if the Broncos are interested?
I hope that he has a bounce back year. If the Bucs add a couple of long fast coverage linebackers, Bowles should be able to play man coverage more which should help Dean and the entire secondary. And, if the Bucs add a player who produces more inside pressure, that should also help Dean and the entire secondary. So, if the Bucs make the right moves this off season, there are solid reasons to expect better from Dean and the entire secondary. And, the Bucs have no one on the roster to replace Dean with. But, trading Dean for Franklin-Myers is probably worthwhile if Denver was interested.
February 19th, 2025 at 11:37 pm
What are the Bucs looking for Edge / DE or Edge-OLB? To me, a JACK OLB-Edge fits more of what Bucs are missing but open to DE suggestions.
We can throw darts at all kinds guys that will / may come available when the UFA/Trade option dinner bell rings, but the Bucs better have a real good idea of exactly who they want & how that guy fits Bowles scheme.
If they swing big on Edge Rusher & trade for Myles Garrett – costing #19 + pick/s in 2026…You make Garrett fit, but plan on seeing more Nickel/4-2-5 vs previous years of traditional 3-4 looks…(You don’t bring in Garrett to drop into coverage…You pair him up w/ with Diaby in base Nickel looks + Hall/Braswell/Barrett in 3-4 looks…with Vea and Kancey inside…That’s damn enticing rush package options to start building around for 2025!
A Garrett move likely means WR2 Godwin walks, but McMillan’s late 24 season emergence doesn’t hurt OFF too much & new cap # hike leaves coin to go sign UFA Nick Bolton away from KC, bring back LG Bredeson and fill a host of other low dollar depth pc slots (WR3 / LCB2 / SS / DL / ILB2)…Combined with a good Day 2-3 of the draft, your cooking something special in Tampa’s win-now window.
February 19th, 2025 at 11:46 pm
The last part time Broncos pass rusher we got worked out pretty well. When he was actually used by the head coach as a pass rusher.
February 20th, 2025 at 5:42 am
He certainly seems to fit the “jack-of-all-trades” bill of what Coach Swiss Cheese looks for in his defenders.
It doesn’t cost anything to watch some tape and make a phone call or two.
Franklin-Myers has some decent stats and looks like he has the ability to play at a couple of different positions in different schemes. And he doesn’t seem to be coming in at price tag that’s beyond our budget.
We should kick the tires and see what happens.
February 20th, 2025 at 5:48 am
Love the idea – great find Joe!
February 20th, 2025 at 11:06 am
Coach Swiss Cheese is developing mold around the edges .