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After losing John Franklin-Myers to the Tennessee Titans during NFL free agency, the Denver Broncos need to determine who will replace JFM in the starting lineup this fall.
Franklin-Myers totaled 33 quarterback hits and 14.5 sacks in two seasons with the Broncos. Now the question is, will Denver replace him with a single defensive end, or replace him with a rotation of players?
“The answer to the question is, it could be either," coach Sean Payton said in June. "With the way we’re rotating those guys, if it happens to be one individual when training camp comes, great. If it happens to be some total of the group, so be it.”
One of the potential candidates to replace JFM is Eyioma Uwazurike, who had the best season of his career last fall with five QB hits and 3.5 sacks as a rotational lineman. Uwazurike missed the entire 2023 season with a gambling suspension, but he has bounced back since then.
“I remember the first year we had him in the spring, and then going through that [suspension] process," Payton said. "You’re just glad he was able to hang in because a year may not seem like a lot, but a year for anyone in this sport is a long time. He’s doing well, practicing well. He has his weight right where it needs to be. He’s one of those guys, I think, back to the question [about replacing JFM] earlier, I think he is competing for more time.”
Another potential candidate is rookie Tyler Onyedim, who was picked by Denver in the third round of this year's NFL draft out of Texas A&M.
“He’s got the hard part kind of done," teammate Zach Allen said of the rookie this spring. "You could definitely tell he’s got the physical traits, and then he’s got a good attitude about it. So he is always trying to learn, always asking questions. He really takes the film seriously, which is pretty rare for a young player. He’s been great. It’s been awesome. [I’m] really excited just to keep working [with him]. It’s crazy to think it’s only his second week on the job. When the pads are on, it’s going to be fun.”
A third candidate to replace JFM is Sai'vion Jones, a third-round pick in last year's draft. Given his draft pedigree, Jones might be the early favorite to replace JFM now that he has a year of experience on his résumé. The competition to take JFM's old spot will heat up this summer. Jones, Uwazurike and Onyedim will be the key players to watch.
Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: How will the Broncos replace John Franklin-Myers? Sean Payton weighs in
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Franklin-Myers totaled 33 quarterback hits and 14.5 sacks in two seasons with the Broncos. Now the question is, will Denver replace him with a single defensive end, or replace him with a rotation of players?
“The answer to the question is, it could be either," coach Sean Payton said in June. "With the way we’re rotating those guys, if it happens to be one individual when training camp comes, great. If it happens to be some total of the group, so be it.”
One of the potential candidates to replace JFM is Eyioma Uwazurike, who had the best season of his career last fall with five QB hits and 3.5 sacks as a rotational lineman. Uwazurike missed the entire 2023 season with a gambling suspension, but he has bounced back since then.
“I remember the first year we had him in the spring, and then going through that [suspension] process," Payton said. "You’re just glad he was able to hang in because a year may not seem like a lot, but a year for anyone in this sport is a long time. He’s doing well, practicing well. He has his weight right where it needs to be. He’s one of those guys, I think, back to the question [about replacing JFM] earlier, I think he is competing for more time.”
Another potential candidate is rookie Tyler Onyedim, who was picked by Denver in the third round of this year's NFL draft out of Texas A&M.
“He’s got the hard part kind of done," teammate Zach Allen said of the rookie this spring. "You could definitely tell he’s got the physical traits, and then he’s got a good attitude about it. So he is always trying to learn, always asking questions. He really takes the film seriously, which is pretty rare for a young player. He’s been great. It’s been awesome. [I’m] really excited just to keep working [with him]. It’s crazy to think it’s only his second week on the job. When the pads are on, it’s going to be fun.”
A third candidate to replace JFM is Sai'vion Jones, a third-round pick in last year's draft. Given his draft pedigree, Jones might be the early favorite to replace JFM now that he has a year of experience on his résumé. The competition to take JFM's old spot will heat up this summer. Jones, Uwazurike and Onyedim will be the key players to watch.
Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: How will the Broncos replace John Franklin-Myers? Sean Payton weighs in
Continue reading...
