The Denver Broncos have added experience and depth to their defense by signing veteran safety Sam Franklin Jr., the team officially announced on Friday.
Franklin brings with him a solid NFL background, having spent the last four seasons with the Carolina Panthers. Originally joining the league as an undrafted free agent, he went on to make a significant impact, appearing in 74 games between 2020 and 2024. Throughout his career so far, Franklin has accumulated 105 total tackles, including three tackles for loss. He’s also logged two quarterback hits, one sack, an interception which he returned for a touchdown, a forced fumble, and five passes defensed. Despite entering the league without much fanfare, Franklin has carved out a respectable role in the NFL and earned nine starts during his time in Carolina.
One of Franklin’s biggest contributions comes on special teams, an area where he’s consistently been a standout. In the 2024 season, he played a career-high 84 percent of the Panthers’ special teams snaps across the 10 games he appeared in. That performance underscores his reliability and value in that often-overlooked phase of the game. Furthermore, from 2021 to 2023, Franklin logged over 250 special teams snaps each season, demonstrating his consistent presence and impact.
While Franklin’s primary value lies on special teams, he has also shown the ability to contribute defensively. His most active season on defense came in 2023 when he played 27 percent of Carolina’s defensive snaps. Though he wasn’t a regular starter, his versatility and experience make him a useful rotational option in the secondary. A product of Temple University, Franklin has shown steady development since entering the league and will now look to continue that progress in Denver.
The signing of Franklin is part of a broader strategy by the Broncos to reinforce their defense during the offseason. In addition to Franklin, the team has also brought in linebacker Dre Greenlaw and safety Talanoa Hufanga, both of whom are expected to contribute immediately. These acquisitions reflect Denver’s commitment to improving their defensive depth and special teams play heading into the 2025 season.
Franklin’s role in Denver is likely to mirror what he did in Carolina: a core special teams player who can step in when needed on defense. His experience and work ethic will also be valuable in the locker room, especially as the Broncos continue to mold a competitive roster.
Overall, this signing gives the Broncos a dependable, experienced safety who can help boost both their special teams and defensive units. With several new pieces in place, Denver is positioning itself to be more balanced and competitive on both sides of the ball for the upcoming season.
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