Why John Franklin-Myers Should Be on the Packers' Free Agency Radar
When the Green Bay Packers swung big to bring in Micah Parsons, they weren’t just chasing sacks - they were making a statement. Parsons has delivered on that promise, bringing his trademark explosiveness and relentless motor to a defense that needed a spark.
But while Parsons has thrived, the rest of the pass rush hasn’t quite kept pace. Rashan Gary has had his moments, and Lukas Van Ness still offers upside, but the consistency just hasn’t been there.
Now, with no first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft thanks to the Parsons trade and a suddenly stacked NFC North breathing down their necks, Green Bay’s margin for error is razor-thin. If they want to keep pace - let alone contend - this offseason needs to be about action, not hope. Enter John Franklin-Myers.
An Underrated Force in the Trenches
Franklin-Myers isn’t a household name, but he’s been a mainstay on some of the league’s better defenses over the past few years, first with the Jets and now with the Broncos. He doesn’t rack up sacks like a Parsons or a T.J.
Watt, but that’s not what makes him valuable. What he brings is versatility, toughness, and an ability to win in multiple ways.
At nearly 300 pounds, Franklin-Myers can line up inside or out. He’s quick enough to beat guards with finesse and powerful enough to collapse the edge against tackles.
That kind of flexibility is gold in today’s NFL, where hybrid fronts and creative blitz packages are the norm. According to Pro Football Focus, he ranks in the top 40 league-wide in both run defense and pass rush grade - a testament to how well-rounded his game is.
And let’s not overlook the context: Franklin-Myers has been part of strong defensive units for four straight seasons. That’s not a fluke. He’s a glue guy - the type of player who may not light up the highlight reel but helps everything around him work better.
The Fit in Green Bay
So how would Franklin-Myers fit into a Packers defense that already features Parsons and Gary? That’s where defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley comes in. Hafley has shown a willingness to get creative with his fronts, and adding a player like Franklin-Myers would only expand his toolkit.
Imagine a third-down package with Parsons screaming off one edge, Gary on the other, and Franklin-Myers either crashing inside or setting the edge himself. That’s the kind of pressure look that forces quarterbacks into mistakes - and those are the plays that swing games in January.
Sure, it would take some scheming to get all three on the field together consistently. But in today’s NFL, there’s no such thing as too many pass rushers.
Depth matters. Rotation matters.
And the ability to throw fresh, disruptive bodies at an opposing offensive line is a luxury few teams can afford - unless they build it smartly.
Why Free Agency Makes Sense
With no first-round pick in 2026, the Packers can’t afford to sit back and hope a plug-and-play pass rusher falls to them late in the second round. That’s not a strategy - that’s a gamble.
Franklin-Myers, on the other hand, is a known quantity. He’s been productive, durable, and adaptable, and he’s entering free agency at a time when his value is finally starting to catch up to his performance.
Pro Football Focus has already identified him as one of the top 15 free agents poised to cash in this offseason - and for good reason. He’s not just a stopgap; he’s a foundational piece that can elevate a defense from good to great.
For a Packers team looking to capitalize on the Parsons window and keep pace in a division that’s only getting tougher, adding Franklin-Myers isn’t just a smart move - it’s a necessary one.
Bottom Line
The Packers have the stars. What they need now are the reinforcements - the guys who can fill gaps, win matchups, and keep the pressure coming from all angles.
John Franklin-Myers fits that mold. He’s not flashy, but he’s effective, and in a league where winning the line of scrimmage still decides games, that’s exactly the kind of player Green Bay should be targeting this offseason.