On the defensive end, the Denver Broncos have a dilemma that many clubs would love to have: too much skill and not enough funding.
The Broncos are now unable to retain everyone because edge rusher Nik Bonitto has emerged as one of the NFL’s best defensive players and is set to receive compensation commensurate with his status. With Bonitto’s contract expiring soon, Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report believes the Broncos should try to replace defensive end John Franklin-Myers in the 2025 NFL draft.
Franklin-Myers signed a 4-year, $55 million contract extension with the New York Jets in 2021; in April 2024, the Broncos reworked the deal to a 2-year, $15 million extension, with just one season remaining.
Ballentine wrote: “Courtland Sutton is approaching his 30th birthday and just finished his best season.” “Bonitto, (Zach) Allen, and Franklin-Myers are essential to their defensive efforts, but it could be costly to pay them all. It seems like Franklin-Myers is the odd man out. Allen has been more effective and well-rounded than Franklin-Myers, while Bonitto gives them a real threat off the edge. Although he has a relatively distinct skill set, a youngster like Jared Ivey might be a replica for the Broncos.
The Broncos had one of the NFL’s weakest defensive fronts going into 2024, but they finished the season as one of the league’s best defensive groups from top to bottom and qualified for the postseason for the first time since 2015.
In addition to having the most sacks (63.0), Denver’s cornerback Patrick Surtain II won NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Franklin-Myers, who finished fourth on the team with 7.0 sacks and was one of six players on the roster with at least 5.0 sacks, was one of the best at rushing the passer.
In the 2018 NFL Draft, Franklin-Myers made his NFL debut after being selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the fourth round (No. 135 overall) out of Stephen F. Austin. He was cut before the following season and signed with the Jets, despite having played in the Super Bowl as a rookie. Before being sold to the Broncos in April 2024 for a 2026 sixth-round pick, he played the following five seasons in New York.
Franklin Myers missed the whole 2019 season due to injury, but he has 26.5 career sacks during his first 7 NFL seasons. After the 2025 season, his career earnings will total about $44.2 million.
It wouldn’t be shocking if the Broncos mostly avoided defense in the upcoming NFL draft because they have so many urgent offensive needs, chief among them being wide receiver and running back.
The Broncos, anchored by Surtain and Bonitto, along with free agent additions linebacker Dre Greenlaw and safety Talanoa Hufnaga, could very well have the best defensive team in the NFL on that side of the ball in 2025.
Prior to the 2024 season, the Broncos spent a lot of money on Surtain (4 years, $96.1 million), and they will probably spend a lot of money in the upcoming months on Bonitto, who is expected to sign a 4-year, $102 million contract deal, according to Spotrac.