New York Jets defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers was recently recognized by NFL Network as the team’s most underappreciated player.
A young New York Jets defensive lineman is gaining some offseason praise from NFL experts; don’t worry, you haven’t read this one before.
Jets defensive end John Frankin-Myers appeared on the list of most underappreciated AFC players compiled by Cynthia Frelund, NFL Network’s analytics expert.
Through a formula that factored in players’ contributions, salary, draft position, and lack of Pro Bowl invites (no more than two), Franklin-Myers was determined to be the Jets’ representative, appearing next to names like J.K. Dobbins and Courtland Sutton.
Alongside Quinnen Williams and Foley Fatukasi, Franklin-Myers helped provide some of the Jets’ brightest silver linings last season.
Formerly a fourth-round pick of the Los Angeles Rams, Franklin-Myers spent most of the 2019 season on injured reserve but broke out with a career-best 19 tackles (including three sacks) and 13 quarterback hits.
Frelund notes that his added pressure played a big role in earning this nomination.
“(Next Gen Stats) shows that Franklin-Myers racked up 27 quarterback pressures in 2020, which was tied with Terrell Basham for the second-most on the team (only Quinnen Williams had more with 32),” Frelund writes of the 24-year-old Franklin-Myers.
“My computer vision measures that his recover rate (measured by when he’s contacted by an offensive player, then maneuvers around them, continuing his path to the quarterback) at 11th-best in the NFL in 2020. I’m thinking this is a player Robert Saleh will be able to make good use of this season, especially with the rest of the additions along the front.
The Jets’ defensive line recently welcomed Carl Lawson, Sheldon Rankins and Vinny Curry to join the trio of young breakouts. Kyle Phillips is also set to return from an ankle injury that kept him out most of last season.
Franklin-Myers succeeds former cornerback Brian Poole, last year’s nominee on Frelund’s underappreciated list.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
