New York Jets: Potential Free Agent Orlando Franklin

Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos guard Orlando Franklin (74) in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game against the Indianapolis Colts at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

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The New York Jets struggled up front on the offensive line last season, on top of that Willie Colon is set to hit free agency. The Jets brass will undoubtedly have to address the line in free agency and the draft, either by signing Colon, pursuing a free agent, or both; the draft will not be enough on its own.

In free agency there is one lineman who stands above the rest and that is Denver’s own Orlando Franklin. Franklin is solid in both the run blocking and pass protection, and is versatile, having played both guard and tackle at an NFL level. The Jets could let Colon walk without a second thought if they are able to woo Franklin to the green side.

Next: What Franklin has to offer

Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos guard Orlando Franklin (74) reacts against the Indianapolis Colts in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Colts defeated the Broncos 24-13. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Franklin will be entering his 5^th year in the NFL next season, and at 27 years old there is a lot of career left with this prospect. Franklin has only missed one game in his career so there is not much risk of injury, which raises his value further.

He made the move from right tackle to left guard this past season and was solid in that role, which means he can be moved to almost any position on the offensive line.

Statistically, he had a career year last season only allowing one sack, two hurries and only eight quarterback pressures. He was also a heavy contributor on an offensive line that was able to run block effectively as well.

C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman rushed for well over 1,200 yards last season and the season before saw Knowshon Moreno have a career year.

Next: What Willie Colon has brought to the table

Oct 5, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; New York Jets tackle Breno Giacomini (68) and guard Willie Colon (66) and wide receiver Greg Salas (17) line up during the fourth quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Willie Colon underwhelmed this past season, but to be fair he wasn’t the biggest liability on the line. Colon was serviceable in pass protection allowing only a sack, three quarterback hits and 20 hurries, however, he was ineffective as a run blocker. While Ivory and Johnson combined for over 1,400 yards, from a run heavy team such as the Jets, with big time backs, the feat is not as impressive.

Chris Johnson rarely got the holes he needed to use his breakaway speed while Ivory pounded hard to get every yard after contact he could. By contrast C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman got to over 1,200 yards in 285 attempts while it rook Ivory and Johnson 353 snaps to get to 1400 yards.

Next: Beefing up the line

Oct 23, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos guard Orlando Franklin (74) before the game against the San Diego Chargers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Replacing Willie Colon with Orlando Franklin would bring a sizeable improvement to a struggling squad. However, with Orlando Franklin’s versatility both could be kept to bring stability. Still it would not hurt the Jets much to let Colon find a new suitor in free agency.

Either way, the Jets need to bring in quality offensive linemen, and Orlando Franklin is exactly that. He will likely demand good money for the guard position, but with the cap space the Jets have, they could front load a contract for Franklin locking him up for several years and with a reduced cap hit year by year.

Next: Trae Waynes to the Jets in Jeremiah Mock

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