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Broncos' Super Bowl Hopes Hinge on DL Replacement
26 May
Summary
- John Franklin-Myers signed a three-year, $63 million deal with the Titans.
- Broncos drafted Tyler Onyedim in the third round to fill the DL gap.
- ESPN questions if Broncos did enough to replace departed defensive lineman.
The Denver Broncos have made it clear they are contenders for the Super Bowl this season. After a season of contract extensions and re-signing their own free agents, the team is deep at most positions. However, the departure of defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers leaves a significant question mark.
Franklin-Myers recently signed a three-year, $63 million contract with the Tennessee Titans, a price point deemed too high for the Broncos. His absence was highlighted by ESPN's Bill Barnwell, who noted that the Broncos' championship-caliber defense could be compromised. Franklin-Myers recorded 14.5 sacks and 33 knockdowns in two seasons with Denver.
The Broncos used their third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on Texas A&M's Tyler Onyedim to help replace Franklin-Myers. He will compete with veteran Eyioma Uwazurike and second-year player Sai'vion Jones. Barnwell suggested veteran options like Calais Campbell could have been pursued, questioning if the team prioritized compensatory picks over immediate defensive reinforcement.
This defensive line situation will be a key area to watch during the Broncos' training camp and preseason. If the current players cannot adequately fill the void, the team may need to explore the limited veteran free-agent market for a short-term solution to bolster their Super Bowl aspirations.
