2020 could see Buccaneers John Franklin in an expanded role

The athleticism speaks for itself

The Buccaneers can make a decision here that would be incredibly forward-thinking. The NFL is moving away from players having a set archetype, and the league as a whole values athleticism above all else.

John Franklin immediately becomes one of the fastest players on the roster. The Bucs don’t have any great burners right now other than Scott Miller, and Franklin could serve that role well.

If and when the Buccaneers face off with a dual-threat quarterback, Franklin can also provide practice reps at quarterback for the defense that will be far more valuable than anyone else in that role.

Franklin may not be the roster’s future starting-quarterback, but he could see reps at the position during games to throw the defense off-balance, similar to Taysom Hill.

The Bucs do not need more of the same with their depth, and they need to make the most of their available roster space. If they are keen on keeping a long snapper who can only serve that role, leaning into a player like Franklin helps offset the loss to some degree.

Regardless of where he lines up, if John Franklin gets a chance from the Buccaneers in 2020, he is in a prime position to make the most of the opportunities he receives.