Does the special teams ace have a spot on the 2025 roster?
Samuel Lamar Franklin Jr.
Position: OLB
6-3, 210lb (190cm, 95kg)
Team: Denver Broncos
Born: February 2, 1996 in Crystal River, FL (Age: 29-182d)
College: Temple
In April the Broncos signed nickle LB and special teams ace, Sam Franklin as a free agent. The veteran has spent his entire career prior to this, but he has only started nine games despite appearing in 74 during his career. He has 782 defensive snaps with 289 being his high value in 2023. He has 1327 career special team snaps. He has 105 total tackles in his NFL career by 28 of those are on special teams (punt and KO coverage).
As a large safety he can have a role in short yardage or goalline formations where he doesn’t have to worry about coverage in space which is not his forte. Last season the Braves had three safeties who had 3 or more tackles on punt coverage, Devon Key, Keidron Smith and JL Skinner. The veteran Franklin could easily displace one of those three for 2025.