NY Jets: John Franklin-Myers is the most improved player on the roster

NY Jets defensive end John Franklin-Myers got kudos for his impressive performances this season and was cited as the Jets' most improved player in 2021 so far.

Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report recently revealed a list of every NFL team's most improved player through 10 weeks of the season.

These are players "who have taken that proverbial next step whether due to natural development, scheme changes or an expanded role," and they all have seen an uptick in production this season compared to previous seasons.

Knox also chose to focus on veterans specifically, since obviously rookies don't have past pro seasons to use for comparison.

For the Jets, Knox picked Franklin-Myers as the most improved player on the team.

"[Xavier] McKinney was a highly-drafted defender out of a marquee college program. New York Jets defensive end John Franklin-Myers was not. A fourth-round pick by the Rams out of Stephen F. Austin, Franklin-Myers took a winding route to the Jets. This season, Franklin-Myers has seen a big jump in both his role and his production. "

- Kristopher Knox, Bleacher Report

NY Jets' John Franklin-Myers wins 'most improved' award so far this season

The Stephen F. Austin product was waived by the Rams in 2019 and subsequently claimed by New York, but he spent the season on injured reserve. When he finally took the field as a Jet in 2020, he played 48 percent of the defensive snaps.

In 2021, Franklin-Myers has started all nine games he's played in and has played 64 percent of defensive snaps at that.

In terms of improved statistic production, he has recorded career-highs in several categories including tackles (23), solo stops (11) and sacks (4).

Last season, he produced 23 quarterback pressures in 16 games, but this season, he's logged 17 in nearly half the timespan.

As a newborn leader in the Jets' defensive line, Franklin-Myers has been one of the more redeemable players in the Jets' recent string of disappointing losses.

New York will need its entire defensive unit to improve in the coming weeks, but having Franklin-Myers show those signs of consistent production is a start.