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Jets Offered Pay Cut To Retain DL John Franklin-Myers

May 3rd, 2024 at 2:34pm CST by Sam Robinson

One of the Joe Douglas era’s top success stories, John Franklin-Myers went from 2019 waiver claim to a versatile regular on the Jets‘ defensive line. A higher-profile pass rusher effectively took his spot on the team’s 2024 cap sheet, however.

The Jets’ trade for Haason Reddick led to Franklin-Myers being given a chance to find a new home. The team had given Franklin-Myers a four-year, $55MM extension early in the 2021 season, and the former Rams draftee rewarded the team by becoming a regular starter over the past three years. The Reddick move led to the Jets trading Franklin-Myers to the Broncos in what amounted to a salary dump; only a 2026 sixth-round pick is coming back to New York in the swap.

Praising Franklin-Myers on the way out, Douglas confirmed this trade was strictly contract-related. Franklin-Myers, 27, had been carrying the third-highest cap hit ($16.4MM) on the Jets’ payroll. The Broncos, however, reworked the six-year veteran’s deal and now have him on more manageable numbers — two years, $15MM ($7.9MM fully guaranteed) — heading into the 2024 season.

The Jets did submit what amounted to a pay-cut proposal to convince Franklin-Myers to stay, but the inside-outside rusher said the AFC East team’s offer was not “anything close” to the Broncos’ terms. Indeed, ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini adds the Jets’ offer came in well south of his current numbers. Franklin-Myers will count $5MM on Denver’s cap this season. If this proves a shaky fit, the Broncos can save $7MM by releasing the trade pickup in 2025.

Combining for 11 sacks from 2021-22 and totaling 48 QB hits over the past three seasons, Franklin-Myers started every Jets game over the past three years. He projects as a starting D-lineman alongside Zach Allen and D.J. Jones in Denver’s 3-4 scheme. With Jones more run stuffer than three-down player, Franklin-Myers stands to see time alongside Allen as inside rushers in sub-packages. Allen tallied a career-high 24 QB hits last season and has totaled 10.5 sacks over the past two years. This makes for an intriguing combination for a Broncos team that returns its top three edge players (Baron Browning, Jonathon Cooper, Nik Bonitto) from 2023.

Reddick, of course, gives the Jets a higher-ceiling option. He joins recent first-rounders Jermaine Johnson and Will McDonald on the team’s Quinnen Williams-anchored defensive line. The Jets, who are effectively replacing Bryce Huff with Reddick, have not agreed on an extension with the Pro Bowl edge rusher. As of now, Reddick remains on his three-year, $45MM Eagles deal; that contract expires after the 2024 season. It would surprise if Reddick-Jets contract talks did not take place this offseason.

Broncos Met With Drake Maye, Spencer Rattler; Raiders’ QB Need Impacted Team’s Bo Nix Plan

May 1st, 2024 at 1:28pm CST by Sam Robinson

While Sean Payton effectively admitted he participated in a smokescreen effort regarding the Broncos‘ interest in trading up for a quarterback, the team was most closely tied to Bo Nix during the draft run-up. That did not end up costing the Broncos, who selected the Oregon prospect at No. 12. But the team also did its homework on other passers.

We heard before the draft that J.J. McCarthy trekked to Denver and Nix threw for Broncos brass in Eugene, but SI.com’s Albert Breer notes the Broncos did meet with Drake Maye and Spencer Rattler before the draft. Maye proved to be well out of Denver’s price range, as New England turned down two offers — from the Giants and Vikings — that included 2025 first-round picks. Ticketed to be Derek Carr‘s backup in New Orleans, Rattler did not go off the board until Round 5.

[RELATED: Assessing Bo Nix’s Prospect Profile]

Multiple reports pointed to the Broncos being interested in making an aggressive move up the board for a passer; McCarthy, who met with the Broncos on a “30” visit, was mentioned as a target. It turns out Broncos-Nix connections early this offseason doubled as prescient reports. The five-year college starter will likely be given the keys early in his rookie season, with ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano mentioning during a recent TV appearance the recent Pac-12 star is expected to “play right away.”

Broncos GM George Paton scouted Nix at four Oregon games but did not share his views with Payton, per Breer, with an aim toward the Super Bowl-winning HC — and the current Broncos top decision-maker — reaching his own conclusions on the prospect. Payton said post-draft Broncos brass viewed the Vikings as being McCarthy fans and the Raiders eyeing Michael Penix Jr. The Broncos did carry some fear, especially after the Falcons chose Penix at No. 8, the Raiders would leapfrog them for Nix, Breer adds. The QB-needy Raiders’ presence at No. 13 influenced the Broncos to stay put and make a pick many have labeled a reach.

The Raiders were, in fact, interested in Penix — more so than Nix or McCarthy — according to ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler. After a second straight offseason of extensive work on QB draft prospects, the Raiders did not add a high-value pick at the position. As the Raiders regroup around Gardner Minshew, the Broncos do not have a clear hurdle in Nix’s path to seeing action early. Denver has Jarrett Stidham as a placeholder and took a flier on Zach Wilson before passing on the ex-Jet’s fifth-year option. Barring something unexpected, it would surprise if Nix is not Denver’s starter early this season.

Although QBs coach Davis Webb ran Nix’s workout, Breer adds the Paton-Payton tandem — along with ownership — did not reveal to other members of the team’s staff where Nix stood on the team’s board. It is believed the Broncos viewed Nix as this draft’s third-best QB prospect. Most do not agree with that placement, and longtime draft analyst Todd McShay said during an appearance on The Ringer’s Ryen Russillo Podcast (h/t the New York Post) at least 10 NFL evaluators he spoke to did not have a first-round grade on Nix. The Broncos are high on Nix’s accuracy, with their research effort removing QB prospects’ screens and short routes to reveal a player who still ranked as one of Division I-FBS’ most precise passers when those dumpoffs are taken out of the equation.

Since Peyton Manning‘s retirement, the Broncos have used two first-round picks on QBs (Nix, Paxton Lynch) and one second-rounder (Drew Lock) on the position. The team made three trades for starters, obtaining Joe Flacco (2019), Teddy Bridgewater (2021) and Russell Wilson (2022), while signing Case Keenum (two years, $36MM) in 2018. Nothing has worked for the NFL’s only franchise to see a QB retire following a Super Bowl win. That has occurred twice in Denver, and the team has encountered a much tougher journey replacing Manning than John Elway.

Nix now holds the keys to the Broncos’ effort to pick up the pieces post-Russell Wilson, whose $85MM dead money number will cut into Denver’s ability to capitalize on the No. 12 pick’s rookie contract. Although Payton led the effort in pointing Drew Brees to the Hall of Fame and helping develop Tony Romo in Dallas, grooming a first-round pick from scratch will be new territory. With Wilson’s contract quickly becoming an albatross, the Broncos did not have much of a choice but to turn back to the draft.

Broncos To Decline Zach Wilson’s Fifth-Year Option

April 30th, 2024 at 9:35pm CST by Ben Levine

As expected, the Broncos won’t be committing to Zach Wilson for the 2025 campaign. According to ESPN’s Jeff Legwold, the Broncos have informed Wilson’s camp that they won’t be picking up the quarterback’s fifth-year option.

[RELATED: 2025 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker]

Considering the $22.41MM commitment that the option would have required, it’s not a surprise that the Broncos won’t lock themselves into that salary. Wilson will now hit free agency following the 2024 campaign, and he’s set to earn more than $5MM in what will be the final season of his rookie contract (the Jets are picking up a portion of that tab).

The Broncos acquired the former second-overall pick last week, swapping a sixth-round pick for a seventh-round pick along the way. Things have already changed since that acquisition, as the Broncos reached a bit for Bo Nix in the first round. The rookie could end up leading the depth chart in 2024, with only Wilson and Jarrett Stidham standing in the way.

Wilson, of course, will be seeking a fresh start in Denver. Following two underwhelming seasons to begin his career, the Jets made a major pivot last offseason when they acquired Aaron Rodgers from the Packers. The veteran suffered a season-ending injury in his first drive with his new squad, forcing Wilson back into the limelight. The third-year quarterback ended up going 4-7 under center, completing 60.1 percent of his passes for eight touchdowns and seven interceptions.

The Jets allowed Wilson to seek a trade elsewhere this offseason, although the market was predictably light considering the player’s lack of production and $11MM cap charge. They eventually found a taker in the Broncos, but following today’s move, this could prove to be only a one-year stop in Denver for Wilson.

CB Chris Harris Retires

April 30th, 2024 at 10:19am CST by Adam La Rose

Chris Harris attempted to find a new home in the NFL last season, but he was out of the league throughout the 2023 campaign. Rather than repeating a comeback attempt, the decorated corner has elected to hang up his cleats.

Harris recently decided to retire, as detailed by Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette. The 34-year-old last played in 2022 with the Saints, playing out a one-year deal following his time in the AFC West. While Harris spent a pair of seasons as a Charger, he will be best remembered for his nine-year tenure in Denver.

“I just waited a year and I stayed in shape, but I realized that everybody was pretty much moving on with the younger players, the younger wave,” Harris said (via Tomasson). “So I thought it would be great to just call it an end.”

Upon entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2011, Harris showcased his potential as a rookie with the Broncos. From that season on, he served as a full-time starter and cemented his status as one of the league’s most productive and versatile corners. Harris racked up 20 interceptions (four of which were returned for touchdowns) during his Broncos tenure. That period included four Pro Bowls and one first-team All-Pro nod (as well as a pair of second-team inclusions).

Harris posted double-digit pass deflections four times in his career, and he wound up with 97 in total. He also recorded seven forced fumbles during his career, remaining an impactful defender in terms of ball production along the way. The Kansas product was a key figure on the Broncos’ Super Bowl 50-winning team, and he will exit the game with a championship to his name as well as a place on the 2010s All-Decade team. Harris trained for a 2023 deal, attempting to play a role on a contending team; the fact that an agreement did not materialize means he will end his career with 180 combined regular and postseason games of experience.

Harris noted his regret in not transitioning to safety – a move many corners make in their 30s to extend their careers. He added that he is contemplating a career in media with his playing days now behind him, but no firm decision has been made on that front. In all, Harris will depart with just over $68MM in career earnings.

2024 NFL Draft Results: Team By Team

April 27th, 2024 at 10:59pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here is every team’s haul from the 2024 NFL Draft:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

  • Round 2, No. 33 (from Panthers): Keon Coleman (WR, Florida State)
  • Round 2, No. 60: Cole Bishop (S, Utah)
  • Round 3, No. 95 (from Chiefs): DeWayne Carter, DT (Duke)
  • Round 4, No. 128: Ray Davis (RB, Kentucky)
  • Round 5, No. 141 (from Giants through Panthers): Sedrick Van Pran-Granger (C, Georgia)
  • Round 5, No. 160 (from Packers): Edefuan Ulofoshio (LB, Washington)
  • Round 5, No. 168 (from Saints): Javon Solomon (EDGE, Troy)
  • Round 6, No. 204: Tylan Grable (T, Central Florida)
  • Round 6, No. 219 (from Packers): Daequan Hardy (CB, Penn State)
  • Round 7, No. 221 (from Panthers through Titans and Chiefs): Travis Clayton (T, England)

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

  • Round 1: No. 1 (from Panthers): Caleb Williams (QB, USC)
  • Round 1, No. 9: Rome Odunze (WR, Washington)
  • Round 3, No. 75: Kiran Amegadjie (T, Yale)
  • Round 4, No. 122 (from Eagles): Tory Taylor (P, Iowa)
  • Round 5: No. 144 (reacquired from Bills): Austin Booker (EDGE, Kansas State)

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

  • Round 2, No. 54: Michael Hall (DT, Ohio State)
  • Round 3, No. 85: Zak Zinter (G, Michigan)
  • Round 5, No. 156 (from Eagles through Cardinals): Jamari Thrash (WR, Louisville)
  • Round 6, No. 206 (from Ravens): Nathaniel Watson (LB, Mississippi State)
  • Round 7, No. 227 (from Titans): Myles Harden (CB, South Dakota)
  • Round 7, No. 243: Jowon Briggs (DT, Cincinnati)

Dallas Cowboys

  • Round 1, No. 29 (from Lions): Tyler Guyton (T, Oklahoma)
  • Round 2, No. 56: Marshawn Kneeland (EDGE, Western Michigan)
  • Round 3, No. 73 (from Vikings through Lions): Cooper Beebe (G, Kansas State)
  • Round 3, No. 87: Marist Liufau (LB, Notre Dame)
  • Round 5, No. 174: Caelen Carson (CB, Wake Forest)
  • Round 6, No. 216: Ryan Flournoy (WR, Southeast Missouri State)
  • Round 7, No. 233 (from Raiders): Nathan Thomas (T, Louisiana-Lafayette)
  • Round 7, No. 244: Justin Rogers (DT, Auburn)

Denver Broncos

  • Round 1, No. 12: Bo Nix (QB, Oregon)
  • Round 3, No. 76: Jonah Elliss (EDGE, Utah)
  • Round 4, No. 102 (from Commanders through Seahawks): Troy Franklin (WR, Oregon)
  • Round 5, No. 145 (from Jets): Kris Abrams-Draine (CB, Missouri)
  • Round 5, No. 147: Audric Estime (RB, Notre Dame)
  • Round 7, No. 235 (from Seahawks): Devaughn Vele (WR, Utah)
  • Round 7, No. 256 (from Jets): Nick Gargiulo (C, South Carolina)

Read more

2024 NFL Draft Results: Round By Round

April 27th, 2024 at 10:42pm CST by Sam Robinson

From the No. 1 overall pick to Mr. Irrelevant (No. 257), here are the results from the 2024 NFL Draft:

Round 1

1. Chicago Bears (via Panthers): Caleb Williams (QB, USC)
2. Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels (QB, LSU)
3. New England Patriots: Drake Maye (QB, UNC)
4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR, Ohio State)
5. Los Angeles Chargers: Joe Alt (T, Notre Dame)
6. New York Giants: Malik Nabers (WR, LSU)
7. Tennessee Titans: JC Latham (T, Alabama)
8. Atlanta Falcons: Michael Penix Jr (QB, Washington)
9. Chicago Bears: Rome Odunze (WR, Washington)
10. Minnesota Vikings (via Jets): J.J. McCarthy (QB, Michigan)
11. New York Jets (via Vikings): Olu Fashanu (T, Penn State)
12. Denver Broncos: Bo Nix (QB, Oregon)
13. Las Vegas Raiders: Brock Bowers (TE, Georgia)
14. New Orleans Saints: Taliese Fuaga (T, Oregon State)
15. Indianapolis Colts: Laiatu Latu (EDGE, UCLA)
16. Seattle Seahawks: Byron Murphy (DT, Texas)
17. Minnesota Vikings (via Jaguars): Dallas Turner (EDGE, Alabama)
18. Cincinnati Bengals: Amarius Mims (T, Georgia)
19. Los Angeles Rams: Jared Verse (EDGE, Florida State)
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Troy Fautanu (OL, Washington)
21. Miami Dolphins: Chop Robinson (EDGE, Penn State)
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Quinyon Mitchell (CB, Toledo)
23 Jacksonville Jaguars (from Browns through Texans and Vikings): Brian Thomas Jr. (WR, LSU)
24. Detroit Lions (from Cowboys): Terrion Arnold (CB, Alabama)
25. Green Bay Packers: Jordan Morgan (T, Arizona)
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Graham Barton (OL, Duke)
27. Arizona Cardinals (from Texans): Darius Robinson (DL, Missouri)
28. Kansas City Chiefs (from Bills): Xavier Worthy (WR, Texas)
29. Dallas Cowboys (from Lions): Tyler Guyton (T, Oklahoma)
30. Baltimore Ravens: Nate Wiggins (CB, Clemson)
31. San Francisco 49ers: Ricky Pearsall (WR, Florida)
32. Carolina Panthers (from Chiefs through Bills): Xavier Legette (WR, South Carolina)

Round 2

33. Buffalo Bills (from Panthers): Keon Coleman (WR, Florida State)
34. Los Angeles Chargers (via Patriots): Ladd McConkey (WR, Georgia)
35. Atlanta Falcons (from Cardinals): Ruke Orhorhoro (DT, Clemson)
36. Washington Commanders: Jer’Zhan Newton (DT, Illinois)
37. New England Patriots (via Chargers): Ja’Lynn Polk (WR, Washington)
38. Tennessee Titans: T’Vondre Sweat (DT, Texas)
39. Los Angeles Rams (from Giants through Panthers): Braden Fiske (DT, Florida State)
40. Philadelphia Eagles (from Bears through Commanders): Cooper DeJean (CB, Iowa)
41. New Orleans Saints (from Jets through Packers): Kool-Aid McKinstry (CB, Alabama)
42. Houston Texans (from Vikings): Kamari Lassiter (CB, Georgia)
43. Arizona Cardinals (from Falcons): Max Melton (CB, Rutgers)
44. Las Vegas Raiders: Jackson Powers-Johnson (OL, Oregon)
45. Green Bay Packers (from Broncos through Saints): Edgerrin Cooper, LB (Texas A&M)
46. Carolina Panthers (from Colts): Jonathon Brooks (RB, Texas)
47. New York Giants (from Seahawks): Tyler Nubin (S, Minnesota)
48. Jacksonville Jaguars: Maason Smith (DT, LSU)
49. Cincinnati Bengals: Kris Jenkins Jr. (DT, Michigan)
50. Washington Commanders (from Saints through Eagles): Mike Sainristil (CB, Michigan)
51. Pittsburgh Steelers: Zach Frazier (C, West Virginia)
52. Indianapolis Colts (from Rams through Panthers): Adonai Mitchell (WR, Texas)
53. Washington Commanders (from Eagles): Ben Sinnott (TE
54. Cleveland Browns: Michael Hall (DT, Ohio State)
55. Miami Dolphins: Patrick Paul (T, Houston)
56. Dallas Cowboys: Marshawn Kneeland (EDGE, Western Michigan)
57. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Chris Braswell (EDGE, Alabama)
58. Green Bay Packers: Javon Bullard (S, Georgia)
59. Houston Texans: Blake Fisher (T, Notre Dame)
60. Buffalo Bills: Cole Bishop (S, Utah)
61. Detroit Lions: Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (CB, Missouri)
62. Baltimore Ravens: Roger Rosengarten (T, Washington)
63. Kansas City Chiefs (from 49ers): Kingsley Suamataia (T, BYU)
64. San Francisco 49ers (from Chiefs): Renardo Green (CB, Florida State)

Round 3

65. New York Jets (from Panthers): Malachi Corley (WR, Western Kentucky)
66. Arizona Cardinals: Trey Benson, RB (Florida State)
67. Washington Commanders: Brandon Coleman (OL, TCU)
68. New England Patriots: Caeden Wallace (T, Penn State)
69. Los Angeles Chargers: Junior Colson (LB, Michigan)
70. New York Giants: Andru Phillips (CB, Kentucky)
71. Arizona Cardinals (from Titans): Isaiah Adams (G, Illinois)
72. Carolina Panthers (from Jets): Trevin Wallace (LB, Kentucky)
73. Dallas Cowboys (from Vikings through Lions): Cooper Beebe (G, Kansas State)
74. Atlanta Falcons: Bralen Trice (EDGE, Washington)
75. Chicago Bears: Kiran Amegadjie (T, Yale)
76. Denver Broncos: Jonah Elliss (EDGE, Utah)
77. Las Vegas Raiders: Delmar Glaze (T, Maryland)
78. Houston Texans (from Seahawks though Commanders and Eagles): Calen Bullock (S, USC)
79. Indianapolis Colts (from Jaguars through Falcons and Cardinals): Matt Goncalves (T, Pittsburgh)
80. Cincinnati Bengals: Jermaine Burton, WR (Alabama)
81. Seattle Seahawks (from Saints through Broncos): Christian Haynes (G, UConn)
82. Arizona Cardinals (from Colts): Tip Reiman (TE, Illinois)
83. Los Angeles Rams: Blake Corum (RB, Michigan)
84. Pittsburgh Steelers: Roman Wilson (WR, Michigan)
85. Cleveland Browns: Zak Zinter (G, Michigan)
86. San Francisco 49ers (from Eagles through Texans and Eagles): Dominick Puni (OL, Kansas)
87. Dallas Cowboys: Marist Liufau (LB, Notre Dame)
88. Green Bay Packers: MarShawn Lloyd (RB, USC)
89. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tykee Smith (S, Georgia)
90. Arizona Cardinals (from Texans): Elijah Jones (CB, Boston College)
91. Green Bay Packers (from Bills): Ty’Ron Hopper (LB, Missouri)
92. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from Lions): Jalen McMillan (WR, Washington)
93. Baltimore Ravens: Adisa Isaac (EDGE, Penn State)
94. Philadelphia Eagles (from 49ers): Jalyx Hunt (EDGE, Houston Christian)
95. Buffalo Bills (from Chiefs): DeWayne Carter (DT, Duke)
96. Jacksonville Jaguars*: Jarrian Jones (CB, Florida State)
97. Cincinnati Bengals*: McKinnley Jackson (DT, Texas A&M)
98. Pittsburgh Steelers (from Eagles)*: Payton Wilson (LB, NC State)
99. Los Angeles Rams*: Kamren Kinchens (S, Miami)
100. Washington Commanders*: Luke McCaffrey (WR, Rice)

Round 4

101. Carolina Panthers: Ja’Tavion Sanders (TE, Texas)
102. Denver Broncos (from Commanders through Seahawks): Troy Franklin (WR, Oregon)
103. New England Patriots: Layden Robinson (G, Texas A&M)
104. Arizona Cardinals: Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (S, Texas Tech)
105. Los Angeles Chargers: Justin Eboigbe (DL, Alabama)
106. Tennessee Titans: Cedric Gray (LB, North Carolina)
107. New York Giants: Theo Johnson (TE, Penn State)
108. Minnesota Vikings: Khyree Jackson (CB, Oregon)
109. Atlanta Falcons: Brandon Dorlus (DT, Oregon)
110. New England Patriots (from Bears through Chargers): Javon Baker (WR, Central Florida)
111. Green Bay Packers (from Jets): Evan Williams (S, Oregon)
112. Las Vegas Raiders: Decamerion Richardson (CB, Mississippi State)
113. Baltimore Ravens (from Broncos through Jets): Devontez Walker (WR, North Carolina)
114. Jacksonville Jaguars: Javon Foster (T, Missouri)
115. Cincinnati Bengals: Erick All (TE, Iowa)
116. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Saints): Jordan Jefferson (DT, LSU)
117. Indianapolis Colts: Tanor Bortolini (C, Wisconsin)
118. Seattle Seahawks: Tyrice Knight (LB, UTEP)
119. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mason McCormick (G, South Dakota State)
120. Miami Dolphins (from Rams through Steelers and Eagles): Jaylen Wright (RB, Tennessee)
121. Seattle Seahawks (from Dolphins through Broncos): AJ Barner (TE, Michigan)
122. Chicago Bears (from Eagles): Tory Taylor (P, Iowa)
123. Houston Texans (from Browns through Texans and Eagles): Cade Stover (TE, Ohio State)
124. San Francisco 49ers (from Cowboys): Malik Mustapha (S, Wake Forest)
125. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Bucky Irving (RB, Oregon)
126. Detroit Lions (from Packers through Jets): Giovanni Manu (T, British Columbia)
127. Philadelphia Eagles (from Texans): Will Shipley (RB, Clemson)
128. Buffalo Bills: Ray Davis (RB, Kentucky)
129. San Francisco 49ers (from Lions through Vikings and Jets): Isaac Guerendo (RB, Louisville)
130. Baltimore Ravens: T.J. Tampa (CB, Iowa State)
131. Kansas City Chiefs: Jared Wiley (TE, TCU)
132. Detroit Lions (from 49ers through Eagles)*: Sione Vaki RB/S, Utah)
133. Kansas City Chiefs (from Bills)*: Jaden Hicks (S, Washington State)
134. New York Jets*: Braelon Allen (RB, Wisconsin)
135. San Francisco 49ers*: Jacob Cowing (WR, Arizona)

Round 5

136. Seattle Seahawks (from Panthers through Browns and Broncos): Nehemiah Pritchett (CB, Auburn)
137. Los Angeles Chargers (through Patriots): Tarheeb Still (CB, Maryland)
138. Arizona Cardinals: Xavier Thomas (EDGE, Clemson)
139. Washington Commanders: Jordan Magee (LB, Temple)
140. Los Angeles Chargers: Cam Hart (CB, Notre Dame)
141. Buffalo Bills (from Giants through Panthers): Sedrick Van Pran-Granger (C, Georgia)
142. Indianapolis Colts (from Titans through Panthers): Anthony Gould (WR, Oregon State)
143. Atlanta Falcons: JD Bertrand (LB, Notre Dame)
144. Chicago Bears (reacquired from Bills): Austin Booker (EDGE, Kansas State)
145. Denver Broncos (from Jets): Kris Abrams-Draine (CB, Missouri)
146. Tennessee Titans (from Vikings through Eagles): Jarvis Brownlee Jr. (CB, Louisville)
147. Denver Broncos: Audric Estime (RB, Notre Dame)
148. Las Vegas Raiders: Tommy Eichenberg (LB, Ohio State)
149. Cincinnati Bengals: Josh Newton (CB, TCU)
150. New Orleans Saints: Spencer Rattler (QB, South Carolina)
151. Indianapolis Colts: Jaylon Carlies (S, Missouri)
152. Washington Commanders (from Seahawks): Ainias Smith (WR, Texas A&M)
153. Jacksonville Jaguars: Deantre Prince (CB, Ole Miss)
154. Los Angeles Rams: Brennan Jackson (WR, Washington State)
155. Philadelphia Eagles (from Steelers through Rams, Panthers and Colts): Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (LB, Clemson)
156. Cleveland Browns (from Eagles through Cardinals): Jamari Thrash (WR, Louisville)
157. Carolina Panthers (from Browns through Vikings and Jets): Chau Smith-Wade (CB, Washington State)
158. Miami Dolphins: Mohamed Kamara (EDGE, Colorado State)
159. Kansas City Chiefs (from Cowboys): Hunter Nourzad (C, Penn State)
160. Buffalo Bills (from Packers): Edefuan Ulofoshio (LB, Washington)
161. Washington Commanders (from Buccaneers through Eagles): Dominique Hampton (S, Washington)
162. Arizona Cardinals (from Texans): Christian Jones (T, Texas)
163. Green Bay Packers (from Bills) Jacob Monk (C, Duke)
164. Indianapolis Colts (from Lions through Eagles): Jaylin Simpson (S, Auburn)
165. Baltimore Ravens: Rasheen Ali (RB, Marshall)
166. New York Giants (from 49ers through Panthers): Tyrone Tracy Jr. (RB, Purdue)
167. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Chiefs through Vikings): Keilan Robinson (RB, Texas)
168. Buffalo Bills (from Saints through Packers)*: Javon Solomon (EDGE, Troy)
169. Green Bay Packers*: Kitan Oladapo (S, Oregon State)
170. New Orleans Saints*: Bub Means (WR, Pittsburgh)
171. New York Jets (from Eagles)*: Jordan Travis (QB, Florida State)
172. Philadelphia Eagles*: Trevor Keegan (G, Michigan)
173. New York Jets (from Chiefs through 49ers)*: Isaiah Davis (RB, South Dakota State)
174. Dallas Cowboys*: Caelen Carson (CB, Wake Forest)
175. New Orleans Saints*: Jaylan Ford (LB, Texas)
176. New York Jets (from 49ers)*: Qwan’Tez Stiggers (CB, Toronto Argonauts)

Round 6

177. Minnesota Vikings (from Panthers through Jaguars): Walter Rouse (T, Oklahoma)
178. Pittsburgh Steelers (from Cardinals through Panthers): Logan Lee (DT, Iowa)
179. Seattle Seahawks (from Commanders): Sataoa Laumea (G, Utah)
180. New England Patriots: Marcellas Dial (CB, South Carolina)
181. Los Angeles Chargers: Kimani Vidal (RB, Troy)
182. Tennessee Titans (reacquired from Eagles): Jha’Quan Jackson (WR, Tulane)
183. New York Giants: Darius Muasau (LB, UCLA)
184. Miami Dolphins (from Bears): Malik Washington (WR, Virginia)
185. Philadelphia Eagles (from Jets): Johnny Wilson (WR, Florida State)
186. Atlanta Falcons (from Vikings through Cardinals): Jase McClellan (RB, Alabama)
187. Atlanta Falcons: Casey Washington (WR, Illinois)
188. Houston Texans (from Raiders through Patriots and Vikings): Jamal Hill (LB, Oregon)
189. Detroit Lions (from Broncos through Rams, Bills and Texans): Mekhi Wingo (DT, LSU)
190. Philadelphia Eagles (from Saints through Packers and Jets): Dylan McMahon (C, NC State)
191. Arizona Cardinals (from Colts): Tejhaun Palmer (WR, UAB)
192. Seattle Seahawks: DJ James (CB, Auburn)
193. New England Patriots (from Jaguars): Joe Milton III (QB, Tennessee)
194. Cincinnati Bengals: Tanner McLachlan (TE, Arizona)
195. Pittsburgh Steelers: Ryan Watts (CB, Texas)
196. Los Angeles Rams: Tyler Davis (DT, Clemson)
197. Atlanta Falcons (from Browns): Zion Logue (DT, Georgia)
198. Miami Dolphins: Patrick McMorris (S, Cal)
199. New Orleans Saints (from Eagles): Khristian Boyd (DT, Northern Iowa)
200. Carolina Panthers (from Cowboys through Texans and Bills): Jaden Crumedy (DT, Mississippi State)
201. Indianapolis Colts (from Buccaneers through Lions and Eagles): Micah Abraham (CB, Marshall)
202. Green Bay Packers: Travis Glover (T, Georgia State)
203. Minnesota Vikings (from Texans through Browns, Broncos and Jets): Will Reichard (K, Alabama)
204. Buffalo Bills: Tylan Grable (T, Central Florida)
205. Houston Texans (from Lions): Jawhar Jordan (RB, Louisville)
206. Cleveland Browns (from Ravens): Nathaniel Watson (LB, Mississippi State)
207. Seattle Seahawks (from 49ers and Broncos): Michael Jerrell (T, Findlay)
208. Las Vegas Raiders (from Chiefs): Dylan Laube (RB, New Hampshire)
209. Los Angeles Rams*: Joshua Karty (K, Stanford)
210. Detroit Lions (from Eagles)*: Christian Mahogany (G, Boston College)
211. Kansas City Chiefs (from 49ers)*: Kamal Hadden (CB, Tennessee)
212. Jacksonville Jaguars*: Cam Little (K, Arkansas)
213. Los Angeles Rams*: Jordan Whittington (WR, Texas)
214. Cincinnati Bengals*: Cedric Johnson (DE, Ole Miss)
215. San Francisco 49ers*: Jarrett Kingston (G, USC)
216. Dallas Cowboys*: Ryan Flournoy (WR, Southeast Missouri State)
217. Los Angeles Rams*: Beaux Limmer (C, Arkansas)
218. Baltimore Ravens* Devin Leary (QB, Kentucky)
219. Buffalo Bills (from Packers)*: Daequan Hardy (CB, Penn State)
220. Tampa Bay Buccaneers*: Elijah Klein (G, UTEP)

Round 7

221. Buffalo Bills (from Panthers through Titans and Chiefs): Travis Clayton (T, England)
222. Washington Commanders: Javontae Jean-Baptiste (EDGE, Notre Dame)
223. Las Vegas Raiders (from Patriots): Trey Taylor (S, Air Force)
224. Cincinnati Bengals (from Cardinals through Texans): Daijahn Anthony (DB, Mississippi State)
225. Los Angeles Chargers: Brenden Rice (WR, USC)
226. Arizona Cardinals (from Giants): Jaden Davis (CB, Miami)
227. Cleveland Browns (from Titans): Myles Harden (CB, South Dakota)
228. Baltimore Ravens (from Jets): Nick Samac (C, Michigan State)
229. Las Vegas Raiders (from Vikings): MJ Devonshire (CB, Pitt)
230. Minnesota Vikings (from Falcons through Browns and Cardinals): Michael Jurgens (C, Wake Forest)
231. New England Patriots (from Bears): Jaheim Bell (TE, Florida State)
232. Minnesota Vikings (from Broncos through 49ers and Texans): Levi Drake Rodriguez (DT, Texas A&M Commerce)
233. Dallas Cowboys (from Raiders): Nathan Thomas (T, Louisiana-Lafayette)
234. Indianapolis Colts: Jonah Laulu (DT, Oklahoma)
235. Denver Broncos (from Seahawks): Devaughn Vele (WR, Utah)
236. Jacksonville Jaguars: Myles Cole (DE, Texas Tech)
237. Cincinnati Bengals: Matt Lee (C, Miami)
238. Houston Texans (from Saints): Solomon Byrd (EDGE, USC)
239. New Orleans Saints (from Rams through Broncos): Josiah Ezirim (T, Eastern Kentucky)
240. Carolina Panthers (from Steelers): Michael Barrett (LB, Michigan)
241. Miami Dolphins: Tahj Washington (WR, USC)
242. Tennessee Titans (from Eagles): James Williams (S, Miami)
243. Cleveland Browns: Jowon Briggs (DT, Cincinnati)
244. Dallas Cowboys: Justin Rogers (DT, Auburn)
245. Green Bay Packers: Michael Pratt (QB, Tulane)
246. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Devin Culp (TE, Washington)
247. Houston Texans: Marcus Harris (DT, Auburn)
248. Kansas City Chiefs (from Bills): C.J. Hanson (G, Holy Cross)
249. Houston Texans (from Lions): LaDarius Henderson (G, Michigan)
250. Baltimore Ravens: Sanoussi Kane (S, Purdue)
251. San Francisco 49ers: Tatum Bethune (LB, Florida State)
252. Tennessee Titans (from Chiefs): Jaylen Harrell (EDGE, Michigan)
253. Los Angeles Chargers*: Cornelius Johnson (WR, Michigan)
254. Los Angeles Rams*: KT Leveston (G, Kansas State)
255. Green Bay Packers*: Kalen King (CB, Penn State)
256. Denver Broncos (from New York Jets*: Nick Gargiulo (C, South Carolina)
257. New York Jets*: Jaylen Key (DB, Alabama)

* = compensatory selection

Broncos To Acquire DL John Franklin-Myers From Jets

April 27th, 2024 at 7:30pm CST by Sam Robinson

7:30pm: When speaking about the trade during his post-draft press conference, Jets general manager Joe Douglas confirmed (via Brian Costello of the New York Post) the Reddick acquisition necessitated moving on from Franklin-Meyers. Keeping both players in the fold through 2024 would have been a tall order in terms of cap commitments, a factor which no doubt affected the low price paid by the Broncos to acquire him.

 1:57pm: We have a veteran being dealt on Day 3 of the draft, though the return will not involve a pick in this draft. The Broncos are acquiring defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers from the Jets, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter reports.

The Jets, who have chosen defensive ends in the past two first rounds and traded for Haason Reddick in March, are picking up a 2026 sixth-round pick from the Broncos. This marks a second Broncos-Jets swap this week, with Franklin-Myers following Zach Wilson to Denver.

With Reddick in the fold, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler adds the Jets gave Franklin-Myers permission to seek a trade. He spent five seasons with the Jets, coming over as a waiver claim in 2019. While the Jets let Bryce Huff walk in free agency, they replaced him with Reddick. The team will now move its third-highest cap charge ($16.4MM) off the roster.

On that note, Fowler adds the Broncos and Franklin-Myers have agreed on a new deal — two years, $15MM — ahead of his Denver arrival. The former Rams draftee will receive $10MM guaranteed ($8MM fully guaranteed) as part of his second NFL extension. Franklin-Myers reached out to Broncos GM George Paton, per the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson, who adds the sides reached extension parameters several days ago.

Franklin-Myers, who emerged from a player the Rams cut after one season into a starter who earned a Jets extension, will add a versatile presence to the Broncos’ front seven. The veteran has shown the ability to play inside and outside. That will be an interesting skillset in Vance Joseph‘s 3-4 defense. While the Jets used first-rounders on edge rushers in 2022 (Jermaine Johnson) and 2023 (Will McDonald), Franklin-Myers started all 34 games over the past two seasons.

The six-year veteran was attached to a four-year, $55MM contract that ran through 2025. Moving Franklin-Myers, 27, will stick the Jets with some dead money. Gang Green will be tagged with $9MM-plus in dead cap but pick up more than $7MM in savings from the JFM deal.

Pro Football Focus rated Franklin-Myers as a top-20 edge defender in 2021 and 2022; the Jets got ahead of this by extending him before the 2021 season. The former Rams fourth-rounder totaled 17.5 sacks in four Jets seasons, including five- and six-sack slates in 2021 and ’22. Franklin-Myers totaled a career-high 20 QB hits in 2022. This marks the second Broncos-Jets trade involving and edge rusher in 18 months, with the sides exchanging Jacob Martin at the 2022 deadline.

Franklin-Myers carries a higher pedigree by comparison and will join a Broncos team now deep on the edge. Denver’s Randy Gregory and Frank Clark moves did not work out, but the team still rosters its top three edges from last season — Baron Browning, Jonathon Cooper, Nik Bonitto — and chose Jonah Elliss in the second round Friday night. Franklin-Myers’ ability to work up front could be of use, with the Broncos needing more help along their D-line, where Zach Allen and D.J. Jones reside as the team’s top cogs.

Broncos Acquire No. 102, Select Oregon WR Troy Franklin

April 27th, 2024 at 11:12am CST by Ben Levine

The Broncos have traded for the second selection of Day 3. Denver has acquired picks No. 102 and No. 235 from the Seahawks, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. In return, Seattle will receive picks No. 121, No. 136, and No. 207.

The Broncos have used the pick on Oregon wide receiver Troy Franklin.

Following a breakout 2022 campaign, Franklin had an even bigger season in 2023. He finished the year setting a school record with 14 receiving touchdowns, and he compiled 1,383 yards on 81 receptions. Knocked for his size and physicality, Franklin wasn’t able to parlay his performance into a selection in the first three rounds. Fortunately, he’ll land in a perfect spot in Denver.

Franklin, of course, is plenty familiar with new Broncos QB Bo Nix, with the duo playing alongside each other for the past two seasons. The Broncos reportedly had their eye on several Ducks players, as Mike Klis of 9News in Denver notes that the team hosted Nix, Franklin, and running back Bucky Irving for private workouts on the same day.

With Jerry Jeudy out of the picture, the rookie could carve out a role on a Denver depth chart that also includes Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr., and offseason acquisition Josh Reynolds.

QB Draft Notes: Penix, Daniels, Nix, Raiders

April 26th, 2024 at 5:26pm CST by Adam La Rose

The biggest surprise of the first round was Michael Penix Jr. hearing his name called eighth overall. The Falcons added to their quarterback room with their top selection, despite having signed Kirk Cousins in free agency last month.

The latter was taken aback by the decision, one which he became aware of while Atlanta was on the clock. Cousins is in place as the starter for multiple years, leaving Penix as a long-term developmental option (albeit one who is older than many other Day 1 signal-callers placed in a similar position). To no surprise, plenty of speculation has resulted from the Penix selection.

Owner Arthur Blank is believed to have driven this move, Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda reports. The quarterback position was seen as a sore spot entering the 2024 offseason and while the Cousins signing marked a short-term upgrade, the Penix addition is of course one aimed at future stability under center. Owners are often involved in major moves at the top of the draft board such as this one, but how the 2024 season (and beyond) unfolds with GM Terry Fontenot and head coach Raheem Morris at the helm will make for a key storyline vis-à-vis Penix’s path to playing time.

Here are some other QB-related draft notes:

  • Penix was the fourth signal-caller selected on Thursday, but Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer notes the Heisman runner-up was ranked third on the Falcons’ board. Some in the organization even had Penix second, Breer adds. The Washington alum was seen in some circles as a borderline Day 1 prospect, but his top-10 selection has cemented his status as a central figure in Atlanta’s long-term plans while also helping the value of his rookie contract.
  • As the top of the first round order played according to expectation, Jayden Daniels was selected second overall by the Commanders. That move came about after the team held an unusual evaluation featuring overlapping visits amongst the class’ best quarterbacks. While that limited Daniels’ availability to get face-to-face time on his own in many respects, Breer notes the Heisman winner was the only prospect who was permitted an “extended, exclusive meeting” with new owner Josh Harris. Given that update, it comes as even less of a surprise Washington followed through with drafting Daniels upon turning down trade interest.
  • Bo Nix was often mentioned alongside Penix as part of the 2024 class’ second tier of passers. Denver added him with the No. 12 pick, though, making him the sixth QB to hear his name called. The Broncos had Nix positioned third on their board, per Troy Renck of the Denver Post. With every other Day 1 passer having previously come off the board, that internal ranking is of course a relatively moot point. Nix will nevertheless enter one of the more intriguing quarterback rooms in 2024.
  • One of the suitors left out in terms of QB pursuit was the Raiders, a team known to have been very high on Daniels in particular. Vegas’ decision-makers were of the opinion there was a “sizable gap” between the top tier of Caleb Williams, Daniels and Drake Maye and the other passers, however, as The Athletic’s Vic Tafur reports (subscription required). For that reason, Tafur notes it would have been unlikely the Raiders drafted Penix or Nix even if they were on the board with the 13th pick. In an case, the team added tight end Brock Bowers with its top selection as part of the unprecedented run on offensive players to begin the draft.

Broncos Draft QB Bo Nix With No. 12 Pick

April 25th, 2024 at 8:33pm CST by Ben Levine

A sixth QB has come off the board, and the Broncos are indeed among the teams which have added a new signal-caller. Denver has drafted Oregon passer Bo Nix.

The recent Ducks standout had the murkiest outlook of all the top QB prospects. He ultimately fell in order behind the projected top-five at the position, but it’s a bit of a surprise that he landed as early as No. 12.

No less, the selection was made by Sean Payton, who had never taken a first-round QB in his long NFL career. The Broncos, however, emerged as the team most closely connected to the ex-Auburn recruit, being tied to him in early February. That turned out to be telling, as the Vikings traded up to No. 10 to ensure they landed the other QB the Broncos were closely tied to (J.J. McCarthy).

Nix put up less-than-impressive numbers during his time at Auburn, but a transfer to Oregon ahead of the 2022 campaign paved the way for his draft stock rising considerably. He totaled 94 touchdowns (74 passing, 20 rushing) in his two seasons with the Ducks, remaining efficient as a passer. Nix completed 74.9% of his attempts at Oregon, throwing only 10 interceptions along the way.

While Nix may lack the upside of some of his draft counterparts, the Broncos are confident he can be a steady presence on their offense for years to come. The organization held a private workout with the Oregon product the day before his pro day; that intel only came out this week. The night before that private workout, the Broncos sent the prospect “three packets of offensive play installation,” and Nix proceeded to “crush it,” according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter. As a result, the Broncos felt comfortable taking him much earlier than many draft pundits expected.

Of course, it’s not a huge surprise that the Broncos were seeking a quarterback…it was just a question of which signal-caller they’d land on. The team moved on from Russell Wilson this offseason and did not do a whole lot to replace him. The organization recently acquired Zach Wilson from the Jets, adding the former second-overall pick to a depth chart that also features Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci. Considering that underwhelming trio, there’s a chance Nix runs with the starting job right away, although that depth could also afford the rookie some time on the bench.

There have now been six QBs selected within the first 12 picks. This matches the record-setting total that came off the board in the famous 1983 NFL Draft. The Broncos acquired a 16-year starter (via the Colts) in that draft, but while John Elway proved a revelation, the first-round arms Denver has chosen have not panned out since.

Tommy Maddox (1992), Jay Cutler (2006), Tim Tebow (2010) and Paxton Lynch (2016), did not become long-term QBs in Denver. The Broncos’ struggles post-Peyton Manning have been well documented, with Wilson being the most expensive failure. The Broncos will take on a record-setting $85MM in dead money ($53MM this year, which is a single-player record by itself) as a result of cutting Wilson. Nix will now come in as a cost-controlled option, one that could certainly define the Payton era in Denver.

Sam Robinson contributed to this post.

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