ENGLEWOOD, Colo — As it turned out, improving their defensive front was the Denver Broncos' No. 2 offseason priority.
We'll give quarterback with the additions of first-round pick Bo Nix and former first-round pick Zach Wilson the Broncos' No. 1 identified need.
But Denver added its third new defensive lineman Saturday when between NFL Draft rounds it acquired veteran defensive end John Franklin-Myers from the New York Jets in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2026 -- repeat, two years from now -- draft.
"It's something we've been working on the last couple weeks,'' said Broncos general manager George Paton. "He's a player we've always respected. He's durable. Three straight years hasn't missed a game. four straight years of 54-plus pressures (on the quarterback). The one thing that sticks out on tape is the relentless motor this guy plays with."
Earlier this offseason, the Broncos signed veteran free agent defensive linemen Malcolm Roach and Angelo Blackson.
After the Denver defense finished 30th against the run in 2023 and lacked the type of interior push to help their edge rushers, the Broncos put some serious dollars, and players, behind their beefed-up defensive line.
Franklin-Myers, 27, has been a three-year starter for the Jets, posting 14.5 sacks in that span. He is also considered strong against the run.
The Jets wanted to move on from Franklin-Myers for financial reasons and he was looking for a change in scenery. Franklin-Myers, represented by Cliff Brady, received a four-year, $55 million contract extension from the Jets midway through the 2021 season. He had two years and $27.9 million left on that deal with $3.2 million guaranteed.
However, Franklin-Myers agreed to a restructured deal with the Broncos for two years and approximately $15 million with about $10 million guaranteed, according to a source.
He will be a starter for the Broncos, lining up opposite Zach Allen with D.J. Jones in between as a defensive tackle in Vance Joseph's 3-4 defense. Franklin-Myers was at Broncos headquarters Saturday, passing his physical and meeting with head coach Sean Payton, defensive coordinator Joseph and general manager George Paton among others.
The trade is expected to become official Sunday or Monday.
A look at the money the Broncos are allocating for their defensive line in 2024:
- Right DE: Zach Allen, $15.25 million
- DT: D.J. Jones, $10 million
- Left DE: John Franklin-Myers, $7.5 million (based on his annual average)
- Backup: Malcolm Roach, $4.25 million
- Backup: Angelo Blackson, $1.378 million
- Backup: Matt Henningsen, $985,000
Defensive line total: $39.36 million.
It's the second consecutive year the Broncos acquired a veteran starter on the final day of the NFL Draft. Last year, the team acquired tight end Adam Trautman from the New Orleans Saints on Day 3 of the draft.
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