2022 All-underappreciated D-line team: Part 3

Photo via Tyler Wise

This is part three of a four-part series focusing on each individual selection. Part one covered Falcons DT Grady Jarrett. Part two featured Titans DL Denico Autry. In part four we will break down and discuss Dolphins DT Christian Wilkins.

The defensive line typically gets more praise than the offensive line, but there are always overlooked players in the trenches that deserve more shine. These selections below are largely based on my personal film study over the last several years with an emphasis on the current 2022 season, although most of them have been worthy of being included on this team for many years.

The criteria is simple: Identifying the defensive linemen that make the largest impact but have the fewest accolades, name recognition and overall hype from the mainstream media. These are guys that consistently pop off the film and need to be studied to be truly appreciated. Most of all if you love line play, they are just plain fun to watch.

After sharing a brief overview of each selection, I recorded cut-ups from each player’s film and edited in audio to create a ‘film room short.’ This will serve as the meat of the analysis aimed at detailing what makes them special.

Jets DL John Franklin-Myers

Overview

Fitting with the theme of prior selections (Grady Jarrett and Denico Autry) being highly valuable pass-rushers with obscure backgrounds, Frankin-Myers’ roots can be traced back to the FCS at Stephen F. Austin University as a former fourth-round selection by the Rams in 2018. Franklin-Myers was quickly waived during final roster cuts leading up to the 2019 season. This was after he recorded a strip-sack of Tom Brady in the Super Bowl and flashed as a rotational day three pick during his rookie season. His release was a head-scratcher at the time and was a poor move in hindsight, considering the Rams are currently in desperate need of a reliable inside-out presence to complement Aaron Donald.

‘JFM’ first grabbed my attention studying film during the 2020 season due to his versatility and ability to win with quickness or power aligned off the edge or reduced inside over guards. At 6’3”, 290 pounds, Franklin-Myers fits into a similar mold as Autry: a force multiplier up front with the size and skill-set to win from anywhere on the line of scrimmage.

Preview:

Franklin-Myers has just four sacks through 16 weeks of the 2022 season but has a 12.8% pressure rate according to TruMedia, ranking inside the top 20 among all pass-rushers with at least 500 snaps played. Over the last three seasons (2020-2022), Franklin-Myers is tied for 20th in total pressures (146) and is one of only 15 pass-rushers with at least 100 QB hurries (102) over that span.

In the video below, we will take a closer look at the specific traits that make JFM such a valuable and underrated pass-rusher with a focus on the ‘how’ and ‘why’ behind his success.