Years before Zach Allen and John Franklin-Myers became Broncos teammates, they connected on social media

Unlike most who muse about the possibility, the pair now actually gets that chance in Denver.

Allen cashed in himself in the spring of 2023 with a three-year, $45.75 million contract from the Denver Broncos. The extension Franklin-Myers signed eventually made him a cap casualty in New York despite consistent production and Denver pounced to add him via trade for almost nothing during April’s NFL draft.

They won’t put on the pads together until August. The most extensive work they may get together against another team might come in one joint practice against Green Bay in mid-August. But Allen thinks Franklin-Myers’ addition to Denver’s front line will not just be an upgrade over last year because he’s racked up 200-plus pressures over the past four seasons, but because it will unlock Allen’s game, too.

“Every day we’re talking for like an hour just on our own,” Allen said. “When we get this, we should do this. What we see. Things we like, things we don’t like. It’s been a really, really good process.”

A year ago, the Broncos played more two-down as the year went along. Jonathan Harris started the season playing upward of 60% of defensive snaps but saw that time wane as the season progressed. Nobody turned into a difference-maker outside of Allen and defensive tackle D.J. Jones.

“Last year there was a lot of trying to move me around a lot to positions I wasn’t super comfortable with,” Allen said. “Then ‘J’ gets here and then it’s like, OK, pick one. We both understand that you’re going to have a hard down every once in a while but that means the other guy gets a one-on-one.”

If a defensive line is solid across the board, an offensive line at least has to play honestly. If Batman finds Robin, all the better.

“When you look at the top sack number guys, they always have a tandem,” Allen said. “It’s not like there’s just one guy who’s just a world-beater on his own. When you have that, it’s really special. Last year, it was a little inconsistent and it was frustrating at times. But whenever you get the one-on-one I truly believe you have to win. That’s what I get paid to do and that’s what my job is.

“I feel like I did it well last year but I feel even better this year. Really excited to see where it goes.”

So, too, is head coach Sean Payton. The Broncos finished near the bottom of the league in win rates in both pass rush and run stopping. The club spent the offseason overhauling the defensive line by adding Franklin-Myers but also Malcolm Roach and Angelo Blackson via free agency. On the edge, they’ll lean into their trio of Nik Bonitto, Baron Browning and Jonathon Cooper plus rookie Jonah Elliss.

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