The Denver Broncos made a low-risk, high-reward move during the 2024 NFL Draft when they sent a sixth-round pick to the New York Jets in exchange for veteran defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers. At the time, it looked like a depth move. Now, it looks like one of the savviest trades of the offseason.
Franklin-Myers didn’t just contribute - he elevated Denver’s defensive front. Over two seasons in the Mile High City, he racked up 14.5 sacks, nearly matching the 19.5 sacks he totaled in five years before arriving in Denver.
He became a disruptive force on the line, consistently winning one-on-one matchups and helping to anchor a unit that came within a game of the Super Bowl. For a team that prides itself on defensive toughness, Franklin-Myers fit like a glove.
But now comes the hard part.
With free agency looming, the Broncos may not have the financial flexibility to bring him back. The front office has been bracing for this scenario since last offseason, when they began prioritizing extensions for key pieces like Courtland Sutton, Zach Allen, Nik Bonitto, Luke Wattenberg, and kicker Wil Lutz. They knew the cap wouldn’t stretch far enough to keep everyone, and that meant tough decisions were inevitable.
In fact, Denver’s brass was proactive about the possibility of losing Franklin-Myers. Last spring, they traded back into the third round to select LSU defensive lineman Sai’vion Jones - a move that now looks like part of a longer-term strategy to replenish the defensive line in case a veteran like Franklin-Myers walked.
And walk he might. While Franklin-Myers has expressed interest in staying - understandable, considering the career resurgence he’s enjoyed in Denver - the market could pull him elsewhere. He’s a proven interior pass rusher with playoff experience, and that’s exactly the kind of player teams pay for in March.
One team to watch? The Jacksonville Jaguars.
Zachary Pereles of CBS Sports has Franklin-Myers ranked as the No. 22 free agent on his board and sees a natural fit in Jacksonville. The Jaguars are looking to bolster their interior defensive line, which would free up edge rushers Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker to make more plays on the outside. Franklin-Myers could be the missing piece that ties that front together.
Jacksonville finished the 2025 regular season on a tear and was the team that ended Denver’s 10-game winning streak in December. They’ve got momentum, a young core, and a front office that isn’t shy about spending to win. If they’re serious about making a deep playoff run in 2026, adding a player like Franklin-Myers could be a statement move.
For Denver, it’s a tough potential loss. Franklin-Myers was more than just a productive player - he was a tone-setter on a defense that made life miserable for opposing quarterbacks.
But that’s the reality of the NFL’s business side. Sometimes, a sixth-round steal turns into a player you simply can’t afford to keep.