HEADLINES

John Franklin-Myers

Jets To Extend DL John Franklin-Myers

October 7th, 2021 at 6:16pm CST by Sam Robinson

John Franklin-Myers has gotten off to a strong start in his fourth season, and the Jets are rewarding the veteran defensive lineman. The parties have agreed on an extension, D.J. Bien-Aime of the New York Daily News tweets. A 2018 fourth-round pick, Franklin-Myers was set to become a free agent in 2022.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport initially reported that it was a four-year, $55MM deal with $30.2MM guaranteed (via Twitter). Connor Hughes of The Athletic later tweeted more details, including Franklin-Myers’ base salaries from 2022-25 ($1.5MM, $11.4MM, $13.3MM, $14.3MM), and signing bonus ($2MM). Franklin-Myers will also get a $10MM roster bonus for the 2022 season, and he can earn $500K in per-game roster bonuses each year.

The Jets picked up Franklin-Myers via waivers ahead of the 2019 season. He represents one of Joe Douglas‘ first notable acquisitions as Jets GM. The Rams drafted Franklin-Myers out of Stephen F. Austin and used him as a backup throughout their 2018 NFC championship season. Despite Franklin-Myers sacking Tom Brady once in Super Bowl LIII, the Rams cut him prior to his second season.

A rotational player prior to 2021, Franklin-Myers has already matched his career high with three sacks this season. Pro Football Focus grades Franklin-Myers as a top-25 D-linemen through four games; his 17 hurries rank 11th thus far this season. He has helped a Jets pass rush in need after the loss of big-ticket free agent Carl Lawson. PFF graded Franklin-Myers as a top-35 edge defender in 2020, when he played 44% of New York’s defensive snaps.

Franklin-Myers participated in the Jets’ seven-sack romp against the Titans, dropping Ryan Tannehill for a sack and hitting the besieged Tennessee quarterback three times. He joins a few pieces on Gang Green’s defensive line signed beyond 2021. Quinnen Williams‘ rookie deal runs through 2022, and the Jets’ top D-lineman can be controlled on his rookie deal through 2023 via the fifth-year option. Lawson is signed through 2023, Sheldon Rankins through 2022.

Jets Designate Two For Return

November 29th, 2019 at 6:28pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

The Jets are getting some reinforcements in the trenches. The team is getting back a member of the offensive and defensive lines, as defensive end John Franklin-Myers and offensive tackle Brent Qvale have both been designated for return from injured reserve.

Both can now begin practicing with the team, and this starts a three-week window for them to be activated. Franklin-Myers was a fourth-round pick of the Rams in 2018, and had a solid rookie season in Los Angeles. He appeared in all 16 games as a situational pass-rusher, and notably had a strip-sack of Tom Brady in the Super Bowl. Because of a numbers game on the Rams’ defensive line he was surprisingly released at final cuts, and was quickly scooped up by the Jets.

It was a nice under the radar acquisition for New York, and he should have the chance to earn some playing time assuming he’s activated. Qvale was undrafted out of Nebraska in 2014, and has been with the Jets ever since. After spending his rookie season on the practice squad he made the team in 2015, and has started multiple games in each of the past three seasons. He was carted off with a knee injury during training camp, and then placed on IR. The Jets have been banged up on the offensive line and starting right tackle Chuma Edoga was recently ruled out with a knee injury, so they could use some added depth.

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/4/19

October 4th, 2019 at 4:33pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Friday’s minor moves, with the list being updated throughout the day.

Cleveland Browns

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

Rams Sign Entire Draft Class

June 9th, 2018 at 12:34pm CST by Ben Levine

As they seemingly do every year, the Rams have officially signed all of their draft picks on one day. Kristen Lago of TheRams.com reports that the organization inked all 11 rookies to their contracts yesterday. The list of players includes:

The Rams didn’t have picks in the first two rounds due to trades for wideouts. They were without a first-rounder due to the Brandin Cooks trade with the Patriots, and their second-rounder was used in the Sammy Watkins deal.

The trio of rookie linemen (Noteboom, Allen, and Demby) could end up seeing some playing time should anything happen to the Rams’ starters. The three players are ultimately competing with Cornelius Lucas, Austin Blythe, Aaron Neary, and Jake Eldrenkamp for backup reps.

Okoronkwo could see some time at outside linebacker if projected starters Matt Longacre or Samson Ebukam need to be replaced. The Oklahoma product is competing with Ejuan Price and Trevon Young for playing time.