Assessing Broncos’ Options To Replace DL John Franklin-Myers

The Titans gave Franklin-Myers a three-year, $63MM deal — one that included $42MM guaranteed at signing — to reunite with Robert Saleh, whose defensive line houses a host of ex-Jets. Despite going into an age-30 season, Franklin-Myers is by far the highest-paid former Jet on Saleh’s D-line. A thin veteran market produced a windfall for the interior pass rusher, who operated as a full-time starter for the Broncos over the past two seasons.

Denver refrained from doing much in terms of outside free agency additions, with special-teamer Tycen Anderson the only notable incoming veteran signed, but the team did spend its first 2026 draft pick on the D-line. Texas A&M’s Tyler Onyedim arrived via the No. 66 overall pick, after the Broncos had traded down from their second-round draft slot. Onyedim has made an early impression but may not be the frontrunner to replace Franklin-Myers.

It looks like Eyioma Uwazurike will receive the first crack at moving into the starting lineup alongside Zach Allen and D.J. Jones, The Athletic’s Nick Kosmider notes. A 2022 draft choice, Uwazurike remains on his rookie contract thanks to a 2023 gambling suspension leading to the deal tolling. The former fourth-round pick has been a rotational piece during his Denver career.

Uwazurike, 28, has made one career start, and the Iowa State alum registered 3.5 sacks last season. The Broncos gave the former Day 3 draftee a career-high 36% snap share in 2025, and he produced five tackles for loss to go with five QB hits. With the team not adding a starter-level replacement in free agency, the door will be open for Uwazurike — whom the NFL did not reinstate until August 2024 — to seize a contract-year opportunity.

Denver’s Onyedim selection, however, certainly stands to factor into this equation. The rookie has drawn “rave reviews” in the Broncos’ building so far, according to the Denver Post’s Luca Evans, who adds the Day 2 pick is expected to play early. Considering the Broncos’ lack of a surefire option to succeed Franklin-Myers, it should be expected Onyedim will have an immediate role. Though, it is also understandable a third-rounder is not viewed as a Week 1 starter just yet.

Onyedim and Uwazurike were teammates at Iowa State in 2021, overlapping in the latter’s final season in Ames. Prior to transferring to Texas A&M, Onyedim spent four years at Iowa State. Tallying 8.5 TFLs in his one Texas A&M season, Onyedim worked as a starter for the Aggies. While he impressed during the Broncos’ offseason program, linemen obviously cannot draw thorough evaluations until pads come on. Our Ely Allen recently noted Onyedim brings positional versatility and a potential high floor, however.

The Broncos also roster former Sean Payton Saints acquisition Malcolm Roach, handing him a three-year, $26.3MM extension during the 2025 season. Roach, 28, has only started eight games in six NFL seasons. Denver did give Roach a career-best 50% snap rate last season, when he tallied four sacks and three TFLs. Roach posted a career-high eight QB hits in 2024. Pro Football Focus ranked Uwazurike and Roach 50th and 51st (among 127 qualified interior D-linemen) last season.

Sai’vion Jones, a 2025 third-round pick, will also factor into this competition. The Broncos remain high on the LSU alum, Kosmider adds. Jones, however, effectively went through a redshirt rookie season. He played just 33 defensive snaps and was active in just three regular-season games. That number figures to rise following Franklin-Myers’ exit. This looks to be one of two position battles on the Broncos’ defense, as they will also give 2025 first-round pick Jahdae Barron a chance at Riley Moss‘ boundary cornerback job.