As the Jets get closer to training camp, I am examining the roster and giving you my top 25 players. Each weekday, we will reveal another person on the list, leading right into camp. I am not including rookies on this list because I do not feel it is possible to fully evaluate them before they play a game.
No. 22: John Franklin-Myers
Last year’s ranking: Unranked
Position: DL
Age on Opening Day: 24
How acquired: Claimed off waivers from the Rams on Sept. 1, 2019
Years left on contract: 1
2021 Salary Cap figure: $920,000
Looking back at 2020
Franklin-Myers was one of the surprises of 2020. The Jets picked him up at the beginning of the 2019 season after the Rams waived him, but he was injured for most of that season and did not play.
Former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams loved Franklin-Myers and got him into the defensive line rotation. He played in 15 games, starting two. He had three sacks and two fumble recoveries while playing just 44 percent of the defensive snaps.
Franklin-Myers showed explosiveness off the line and good pass-rush moves. It would be interesting to see what he could do with an expanded role.
PFF graded him 35th out of 126 interior defensive linemen. He was credited with 38 hurries and 10 quarterback hits.
Outlook for 2021
If there is one thing Robert Saleh loves, it is defensive linemen. It will be interesting to see where Franklin-Myers fits in with the defensive line rotation. He can play inside or outside. The Jets have some depth on the interior of their line with Quinnen Williams, Sheldon Rankins and Foley Fatukasi. That might mean Frankiln-Myers kicks outside and is one of the contenders to play opposite Carl Lawson.
He worked at both spots during the spring. Franklin-Myers was impressive last year in a reduced role. The new coaching staff could give him a larger role this year, and he could really have a breakout season and make this placement so low on the list look silly. He has shown what he can do in small doses. Now, let’s see if he can make the jump to a bigger role.