Tag: John Franklin-Myers

Broncos have a promising DE duo in John Franklin Myers and Zach Allen

“We’ve hit the ground running,” Zach Allen said of teaming up with John Franklin-Myers on the Broncos’ defensive line.

After acquiring John Franklin-Myers in a trade with the New York Jets earlier this offseason, the Denver Broncos are set to go into the 2024 NFL season with Zach Allen and JFM as their starting defensive ends.

That’s a formidable duo.

“[W]e’ve known each other for a couple years now,” Allen said in July. “We’ve always joked about playing with each other. I’ve been watching him for a while and to see it up close and talk to him about it, it’s cool because we see the game the same way.

“So kind of that whole learning period of playing with a guy opposite of you, we didn’t really have and it was pretty smooth sailing. That’s pretty rare to have, and to have that is huge so we’ve hit the ground running so far with it.”

Allen totaled 24 quarterback hits and five sacks in his first season with the Broncos last fall. JFM recorded 48 QB hits and 14.5 sacks in his final three seasons with the Jets.

“I think you see Zach play and you see a guy who can win with power, he can win with speed and he can win with any type of move that he throws out there,” Franklin-Myers said in July. “Having somebody across from you — on the opposite side of you who kind of sees the same thing, you’re able to work some of those protections and work some of those games when it’s time.

“It’s the hardest thing because a lot of people don’t see that. Just through the conversations, through the little bit of practice that we’ve had and just getting a chance to work some of that stuff and bounce ideas off of each other, it’s only going to make us that much better.”

After having practiced together in training camp, Allen and JFM are now set to go into the 2024 season familiar with each other’s game. They should prove to be a talented duo for the Broncos this fall.

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10 things to watch for when Broncos face Seahawks in Week 1

Bo Nix will make his first NFL start against the Seahawks on Sunday. Here are 10 things to watch for when the Broncos travel to Seattle.

The Denver Broncos are set to go on the road to face the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday in Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season. Going into the weekend, here’s a quick look at ten things to watch for on Sunday.

1. NFL’s new kickoff format: The league has switched to a new XFL-style kickoff format this year and the Broncos believe they will benefit from it. We’ll see if Marvin Mims can take advantage of more opportunities to return.

2. Season-opening roster construction: Denver can elevate two players from the practice squad to the game-day roster each week. It seems like a fairly safe guess that wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey and fullback Michael Burton will be the top candidates to be elevated in Week 1. That could lead to rookie Troy Franklin being a healthy scratch.

3. Luke Wattenberg at center: After losing Lloyd Cushenberry during free agency, the Broncos have replaced him in the starting lineup with Wattenberg. The four other starting linemen are all returning from 2023. Denver will hope Wattenberg is not a weak link as the only new starter.

4. It’s now or never for Greg Dulcich: He’s finally healthy, so can the tight end utilize his speed to make a big impact in Sean Payton’s offense?

5. A lighter Javonte Williams: The running back lost 11 pounds this offseason and Payton has said he looks like “a completely different player.” Sure, that could be coach speak, but Williams is now two years removed from his 2022 knee injury. Perhaps we’ll see a rejuvenated RB in 2024.

6. New-look defensive line: The Broncos signed Malcolm Roach during free agency, then they acquired John Franklin-Myers in a trade with the New York Jets. JFM and Roach joined a d-line rotation that already featured Zach Allen and D.J. Jones. Denver also has Eyioma Uwazurike returning from last year’s gambling suspension, and the team has been impressed with Jordan Jackson. The defensive line could be one of the Broncos’ big strengths in 2024.

7. Cody Barton replacing Josey Jewell: Denver lost Jewell in free agency and replaced him with Barton, who has started 24 games over the last two seasons. Will there be a noticeable difference at ILB?

8. Riley Moss at cornerback: Moss was never able to get going on defense as a rookie after undergoing core muscle surgery last summer. Now healthy entering Year 2, Moss is set to start across from Pat Surtain at cornerback. Let’s see what he can do.

9. Replacing Justin Simmons at safety: After moving on from both Simmons and Caden Sterns this offseason, the Broncos are poised to start free agent addition Brandon Jones and P.J. Locke at safety. There’s obviously going to be a drop-off going from one of the NFL’s best safeties to players with no career accolades, but can Jones and Locke hold their own?

10. Bo Nix makes his NFL debut: Nix is set to become the team’s 14th starting quarterback in the post-Peyton Manning era. Nix will also become Denver’s first rookie quarterback since John Elway to start in Week 1. No pressure, rookie.

After facing the Seahawks, the Broncos will return home to host the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2. First things first, Seattle’s on deck.

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Broncos took advantage of Jets’ short-sighted Haason Reddick move in April

The Jets traded John Franklin-Myers to the Broncos at a discount price after acquiring Haason Reddick, who now wants to leave New York.

Four months ago, the New York Jets agreed to trade a conditional third-round draft pick to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for pass rusher Haason Reddick. The Jets knew Reddick wanted a new contract, but they acquired him before working out a deal.

After acquiring the pass rusher, New York’s front office knew they could not afford to pay both Riddick and incumbent John Franklin-Myers. So the Jets made a short-sighted decision and gave Franklin-Myers permission to seek a trade.

Because they needed to clear salary cap space, New York had little leverage in negotiations and the Denver Broncos took advantage of that. During the NFL draft, the Broncos agreed to trade a future sixth-round pick to the Jets in exchange for Franklin-Myers, a bargain price.

New York traded for Reddick before getting a new deal done and they shipped out his predecessor before giving Reddick an extension. Since then, Reddick has refused to report while in a contract dispute with the Jets, and he officially asked for a trade on Monday.

It’s a messy situation in New York that the Jets created themselves, and the Broncos benefited from it. Franklin-Myers is gone and Reddick is yet to join. Meanwhile, Denver and Philadelphia couldn’t be happier.

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11 players did not play in Broncos’ first preseason game

Most healthy Broncos starters played against the Colts on Sunday with a few exceptions that included star cornerback Pat Surtain.

The Denver Broncos played most of their healthy starters in their preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday with three exceptions on defense.

Broncos star cornerback Pat Surtain did not play — just like last year — and he was joined on the sideline by defensive linemen John Franklin-Myers and Zach Allen, who have been given sporadic rest days at training camp.

Denver also held back defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike, who just returned from a year-plus-long suspension last week.

“I think for someone who’s been out for a year, I just would regret it if we hurried him back and then he had a pulled muscle or something,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said of Uwazurike last week. “So I think it’s a tick early.”

Payton suggested Uwazurike will play against the Green Bay Packers in Denver’s second preseason game next week.

The rest of the players who sat out the Broncos’ preseason opener are recovering from injuries.

Safety Delarrin Turner-Yell (ACL) and linebacker Drew Sanders (Achilles) remain on the physically unable to perform list. Denver safety Brandon Jones (hamstring) and cornerback Levi Wallace (hamstring) have been sitting out at practice. Linebacker Justin Strnad is recovering from a groin injury, pass rusher Nik Bonitto is nursing a back injury and rookie guard Nick Gargiulo has an undisclosed ailment.

Broncos players who did not play

DB Brandon Jones (hamstring)
CB Levi Wallace (hamstring)
ILB Justin Strnad (groin)
OLB Nik Bonitto (back)
OL Nick Gargiulo (undisclosed)
DB Delarrin Turner-Yell (ACL)
LB Drew Sanders (Achilles)
DL Eyioma Uwazurike (just returned)
CB Pat Surtain (rest)
DL John Franklin-Myers (rest?)
DL Zach Allen (rest?)

We’ll get an update on the Broncos’ injuries when the team returns to practice on Wednesday. Denver will wrap up training camp next week with their final three open practices of the summer.

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Broncos injuries: 6 players sidelined at training camp

Broncos DB Brandon Jones (hamstring) could be out another week-plus. Pass rusher Nik Bonitto (back) could return as early as today.

The Denver Broncos have some lingering bumps and bruises as they wrap up their first week of training camp.

First, some good news: Broncos safety Caden Sterns (knee) was activated from the physically unable to perform list on Saturday and the team has been easing him back into action.

“So, he’s passed his physical in order to get back on the field,” coach Sean Payton said of Sterns. “Now we have to be really smart. It’ll be a process.”

Meanwhile, fellow safety Brandon Jones has “tweaked” his hamstring. Payton indicated the team won’t rush Jones in his recovery.

“He’s probably going to be week or two weeks with a hamstring,” Payton said. “We’re just going to be smart with his recovery. He’s someone that he’ll attack the rehab really quick, but I think two weeks will be realistic.”

Elsewhere on the injury front, outside linebacker Nik Bonitto was sidelined Tuesday with what Payton described as “some back issues.” The coach expects Bonitto to return soon, perhaps as early as Wednesday.

Denver guard Nick Gargiulo (undisclosed) also remains sidelined.

Rounding out the injury report are running back Blake Watson (on the NFI list with a leg muscle injury), linebacker Drew Sanders (phsycially unable to perform list with an Achilles injury) and safety Delarrin Turner-Yell (PUP list with a knee injury).

Denver defensive end John Franklin-Myers was also absent from Tuesday’s practice after being excused to attend a family funeral.

Denver Broncos injuries

RB Blake Watson: leg muscle (NFI list)

LB Drew Sanders: Achilles (PUP list)

DB Delarrin Turner-Yell: knee (PUP list)

DE John Franklin-Myers: Excused from practice

OLB Nik Bonitto: back injury (did not practice)

DB Brandon Jones: hamstring injury (did not practice)

G Nick Gargiulo: undisclosed (did not practice)

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Broncos roster series: No. 98, DE John Franklin-Myers

After totaling 61 QB hits and 17.5 sacks in four years with the Jets, DE John Franklin-Myers joined the Broncos this spring.

Broncos Wire’s 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at seventh-year defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers, No. 98.

Before the Broncos: Franklin-Myers (6-4, 288 pounds) entered the league as a fourth-round pick out of Stephen F. Austin State University with the Los Angeles Rams in 2018. He dressed for all 16 games as a rookie and totaled two sacks, but the Rams moved on ahead of the 2019 season.

The New York Jets then claimed JFM off waivers in 2019 and he went on to play four seasons in New York. JFM totaled 125 tackles, 61 quarterback hits, 17.5 sacks, seven pass breakups, one interception and one forced fumble in 65 games (52 starts) with the Jets.

Broncos tenure: Denver traded a 2026 sixth-round draft pick to New York in exchange for Franklin-Myers this spring.

Chances to make the 53-man roster: Lock. After trading for him and acquiring a $5 million cap hit, the Broncos aren’t going to cut JFM this year. He seems poised to start at defensive end across from Zach Allen in 2024.

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Broncos’ run defense will get a boost from two new additions in 2024

The Broncos had the third-worst run defense in the NFL last year. The additions of Malcolm Roach and John Franklin-Myers should change that.

The Denver Broncos allowed an average of 137.1 rushing yards per game to opposing offenses last year, representing the third-worst average in the NFL. At least part of the blame fell on the team’s defensive line, and coach Sean Payton and general manager George Paton set out to make changes this spring.

Denver allowed defensive lineman Jonathan Harris to walk during free agency and the team has not re-signed Mike Purcell. To replace them, the Broncos signed Malcolm Roach and then acquired John Franklin-Myers in a trade with the New York Jets.

“Last year with the rush defense, it wasn’t every game, it was just spotty,” defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said on June 12. “I think having those two guys inside to hold a point for us and to change the L.O.S. [line of scrimmage], that’s important. With our run defense, both guys have a history of doing that. So that should help us tremendously.”

Roach posted the best run-stop percentage (17.4%) in the NFL last year, according to Pro Football Focus. Franklin-Myers has totaled 21 tackles behind the line of scrimmage over the last four years.

“[They have been] awesome,” linebacker Alex Singleton said of Roach and Franklin-Myers on June 11. “I’ve known John for a few years now. We trained together a couple of years ago back in southern California. I am excited. The way that they play is fast and physical. They are aggressive dudes. It’s been pretty nice having them in front of me these past couple of weeks.”

Franklin-Myers appears poised to start on the defensive line alongside Zach Allen and D.J. Jones this fall. Roach will likely be used primarily in short-yardage and run-defense scenarios. Roach and Franklin-Myers were key additions to Joseph’s squad and they should help the team’s run defense get back on track this fall.

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Check out these highlights of Broncos DE John Franklin-Myers

The Broncos acquired DE John Franklin-Myers from the Jets in exchange for a future sixth-round pick. That might have been a big steal.

The Denver Broncos traded a 2026 sixth-round pick to the New York Jets during this year’s NFL draft in exchange for defensive end John Franklin-Myers. Because the Jets were in a salary cap pinch, the Broncos were able to acquire the defensive lineman at a bargain price.

Denver coach Sean Payton described Franklin-Myers as a “powerful” player last month. The 27-year-old defensive lineman discussed getting the opportunity to join the Broncos during organized team activities in June.

“Denver came up and shoot, what an opportunity I had. I talked to the coaches and talked to the staff members,” Franklin-Myers said. “I just heard the vision, heard what they wanted to do for me, how I could help this team and the opportunity that was presented. To play for Coach Sean Payton, I couldn’t pass that up.”

Check out the highlights from Franklin-Myers’ time in New York below:

The sixth-year defensive lineman has totaled 135 tackles, 61 quarterback hits, 19.5 sacks, seven pass breakups, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and one interception in 81 career games (52 starts). He’ll look to build on those totals with the Broncos this fall.

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Broncos coach Sean Payton eager to add ‘very consistent’ John Franklin-Myers to defense

“You see a very consistent player,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said of new defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers.

The Denver Broncos seemingly got a steal when they agreed to trade a 2026 sixth-round to the New York Jets in exchange for defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers during the 2024 NFL draft.

The Jets were in a salary cap pinch that made Franklin-Myers (27) expendable, allowing the Broncos to make a bargain trade. Denver coach Sean Payton said fans and media will begin to see the kind of impact the defensive end can make when the pads come on later this summer.

“Each year, consistently you saw the numbers, the numbers, the numbers,” Payton said on June 4. “It was kind of like you couldn’t even imagine how close they were. Now it came through power rush, bull rush or took an edge. It’s harder for him now to show you those things when we’re not in pads. So now, it’s alignment, it’s the scheme, where am I at and how am I fitting? I think we’ll see a lot more of that when we’re in pads. You can’t bull rush a guy out here; it’s kind of hard to do.

“He’s a powerful player. I would say when you grade or look at his pressure statistics over the last four years or five years, it’s pretty interesting. They’re very consistent across the board. So you see a very consistent player, but again during these drills you’re not able to necessarily see that.”

Over the last three years in New York, Franklin-Myers totaled 14, 20 and 14 quarterback hits while adding six, five and three sacks. He was consistent for the Jets and Payton expects the same kind of production in Denver. Getting that level of player for a late-round pick in the future was a great move.

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John Franklin-Myers ‘couldn’t pass up’ opportunity to join Broncos

“To play for Coach Sean Payton, I couldn’t pass that up,” DE John Franklin-Myers said of joining the Broncos this offseason.

After the New York Jets acquired Haason Reddick earlier this year, they couldn’t afford to pay him and fellow pass rusher John Franklin-Myers.

Consequently, New York gave Franklin-Myers and his agent permission to seek a trade. Because the Jets were in a pinch, they had little leverage in negotiations, allowing the Denver Broncos to get a bargain deal.

During the draft in April, the Broncos sent a 2026 sixth-round pick to New York in exchange for Franklin, a cheap price for a defender with 61 quarterback hits and 19.5 sacks on his resume. After joining the team’s offseason program, Franklin-Myers was asked about landing in Denver.

“As far as the trade, the Jets traded for Haason and reached out to us and told us to see what we could find,” Franklin-Myers said on June 4. “From there, you get the chance to have your conversations and do what you need to do. Denver came up and shoot, what an opportunity I had. I talked to the coaches and talked to the staff members.

“I just heard the vision, heard what they wanted to do for me, how I could help this team and the opportunity that was presented. To play for Coach Sean Payton, I couldn’t pass that up. You talk about the defense they run and putting guys in good positions, that’s what I’m looking forward to. I’m looking forward to going out there with them and playing physical.”

The Jets run a 4-3 defense, so it will be a little bit of an adjustment for Franklin-Myers to switch to a 3-4, but he’s up for the challenge. The 27-year-old defensive end spoke to defensive coordinator Vance Joseph during trade talks.

“I played in a 4-3 front for five years or four years now,” Franklin-Myers said. “It was a little different because you do not know how someone is going to play you, but once I talked to him and understood what the assignment was, then I was on board. I’m locked in. [It is] a chance to grow as a person, as a football player and as a teammate, I couldn’t pass that up.”

Franklin-Myers started all 17 games for New York in each of the last two seasons and he missed just one game in 2021. Over the last three years, he recorded 48 quarterback hits, 14.5 sacks and five pass breakups. With a fresh start in Denver, Franklin-Myers will look to build on those totals in 2024.

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