Back in the 2019 offseason, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers struck gold when they signed Denver Broncos EDGE Shaq Barrett to a one-year, $4 million contract.
Barrett was coming off of a three-sack season in 2018, and had recorded 14 sacks in his four-year career in Denver. Barrett had obvious potential, but was buried in the rotation behind Von Miller and Bradley Chubb. The Buccaneers reaped the benefits.
In his first season in Tampa Bay, Barrett erupted for 19.5 sacks, instantly becoming one of the league’s most dominant pass rushers. He followed that breakout with eight sacks and ten sacks over the next two seasons, giving the Buccaneers a consistent, high-impact presence off the edge.
Taking an underutilized Barrett off Denver's hands was one of the best free agency signings in franchise history, and this offseason, the Broncos once again have a free agent defender who could help transform Tampa Bay's defensive line.
Buccaneers should target John Franklin-Myers in free agency
Defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers could be a perfect fit for Tampa Bay if the Buccaneers are looking to upgrade their defensive front. A versatile interior defender with pass-rush juice, Franklin-Myers could help fill the role of Logan Hall if the Bucs decide to let him depart in free agency.
Franklin-Myers recorded seven sacks in 2024 and followed that up with 7.5 sacks in 2025, quietly establishing himself as one of the league’s most underrated defensive linemen. Denver’s defensive front is loaded after extensions for D.J. Jones, Zach Allen, and Jonathan Cooper, which could make Franklin-Myers the odd man out despite his production.
In 2024, he graded as the No. 6 overall defensive lineman out of 132 qualifiers, according to Pro Football Focus, earning an elite 84.3 pass-rush grade that ranked fourth at his position. While his overall grades declined in 2025, his sack total increased, reinforcing his value as part of one of the NFL’s best defensive line groups.
Franklin-Myers will enter his age-30 season in 2026, but he’s coming off two of the most productive years of his career. Tampa Bay would be betting on short-term immediate impact rather than long-term production, a gamble that makes sense for a defense in need of reinforcements up front. Just as importantly, he’s unlikely to command a top-of-the-market contract, making him an appealing target who can be signed without breaking the bank.
The situation isn’t identical to Barrett’s, as Franklin-Myers is an established starter rather than a player buried on the depth chart like Barrett was. but the circumstances are similar.Â
Denver has seemingly prioritized other defenders financially, which could open the door for Tampa Bay to swoop in once again and add a proven pass rusher from the Broncos capable of immediately elevating a defensive line that badly needs the help.