John Franklin-Myers is going into year four with the New York Jets. He was claimed through waivers shortly before the start of the 2019 season. With Joe Douglas being hired as general manager during that summer, Franklin-Myers was one of his first additions. He went on to earn a big four-year contract extension through 2025 early last season. Franklin-Myers enters 2022 as one of the Jets’ best players and should have a third straight productive year.
Brief review of 2021:
Franklin-Myers built on a complete breakout season from out of nowhere in 2020. He started in 16 games and played 716 snaps (64% of the defense’s snaps), all career highs. He finished 2021 with six sacks, 14 quarterback hits, and 43 pressures. As a result of multiple injuries the Jets had at defensive end, Franklin-Myers played at edge most of the year and made his impact as a pass rusher, especially early in the year. He was stout against the run on the outside as well.
Skill set:
Franklin-Myers has the size and quickness to play edge and defensive tackle. From both positions, he is a talented pass rusher. He is 6-foot-4, 288 pounds, with 32 7/8″ arm length. At his size, Franklin-Myers also has impressive foot speed (4.75 40-yard dash) and is a good athlete (8.30 Relative Athletic Score). Franklin-Myers has proven himself to be one of the Jets’ most versatile players, with the ability to play on both the outside and interior of the defensive line.
Projected role with the New York Jets:
Anticipate the Jets looking to get the most out of the exceptional positional flexibility that Franklin-Myers offers upfront. On early downs and other obvious running situations, expect him to be at defensive end, setting a physical edge with his size. Come third down and passing situations, Franklin-Myers should be back inside where he thrived in 2020. As a pass rusher, he is too quick and athletic for guards, and he also has the size to line up at defensive tackle.
2022 stat projection:
With an improved defensive line leading to opportunities for Franklin-Myers to rush inside, he should eclipse last year’s sack total of six and get to seven in 2022. Last season, he was a focal point for opponents with the multitude of injuries around him, never being able to rush inside, and with much less talent. He had 13 quarterback hits in 2020 and 14 last year, getting 15 or more this year to continue that growth would be great. Lastly, he generated a ton of pressures last year with 43. Seeing that rise again and getting to 45 to 50 (2.5 to 3 per game) would be fantastic as the Jets’ defense needs to be better.
Final preview thoughts:
Franklin-Myers is 25 and turning 26 in late September. He is under contract with the Jets for the next four years. Franklin-Myers should continue to improve as a core player for the Jets’ future. He has proven himself as a bona fide, legit starting pass rusher for the Jets’ defensive front. His versatility makes him that much more valuable. Going into year four with the Jets, Franklin-Myers is in a great position to have his best year yet in 2022.