The Jets traded defensive end John Franklin-Myers to the Broncos on Saturday for a 2026 sixth-round pick. But that trade almost didn't come to fruition after the Jets used the pick they originally meant to send to the Broncos in the deal.
New York traded away the No. 157 to move up and draft wide receiver Malachi Corley. But, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini, the Jets had agreed to send that selection to the Broncos in the Franklin-Myers transaction. That put the trade in jeopardy before the two sides agreed to new compensation.
The Jets allowed Franklin-Myers to seek a trade after the team acquired edge rusher Haason Reddick earlier in the offseason. The move cleared $7.3 million in salary cap for 2024 but left a $9.1 million dead cap hit.
Jets-Broncos trade details
- Jets receive: 2026 sixth-round pick
- Broncos receive: defensive end John Franklin-Myers
Jets-Broncos trade grade
This was an inevitable decision for the Jets with a crowded defensive line group. Franklin-Myers was productive with the Jets, but he became expendable after the Reddick trade and with the hopeful emergences of Michael Clemson and Will McDonald on the edge.
The loss of Franklin-Myers is big. He played in 50 games over the past three seasons and tallied 14.5 sacks. But clearing salary cap space is the biggest part of the deal. The compensation won't matter, either, because of how late in the draft it is and how far away the 2026 draft is. General manager Joe Douglas and head coach Robert Saleh may not even be around to use the pick if the Jets don't perform in the next two years.
It might be tough to replace Franklin-Myers in the locker room and on the field, but the Jets had to make some tough financial decisions for 2024.
Grade: B-plus
