[YDFL Commish]

Originally Posted by Colts And Orioles

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2026 NFL Free Agency Grades: Dexter Lawrence II, Kirk Cousins

(By Seth Walder and Ben Solak)

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/...-draft-outlook




The Packers Trade for LB Franklin


The Packers Receive: ) LB Zaire Franklin

The Colts Receive: ) DT Colby Wooden


The Packers' Grade: ) B

The Colts' Grade: ) B



2 days after ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Colts were seeking to deal Franklin in order to help get under the salary cap, Indianapolis found a trade partner in Green Bay. The Packers added Franklin via a player-for-player trade involving Wooden.

Franklin, who will turn 30 this summer, presumably will slot in next to Edgerrin Cooper at linebacker, with Quay Walker departing in free agency. Franklin's deal calls for $7 Million in cash in 2026, which the Colts will save and the Packers will take on. His contract also includes a $9 million non-guaranteed salary in 2027.

Franklin is most known for his 2024 season in which he led the NFL in tackles (173). That's not a particularly great indicator of linebacker skill on its own, and probably overstates his contribution that season, but he was certainly a solid player that year. His metrics took a step back last season. In 2025, Franklin's run stop win rate dropped to the 28th percentile (down from 59th the year prior), along with a 28th percentile tackle rate among linebackers and a worse-than-average missed tackle rate, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.

There are a number of linebacker options in free agency, though many of them might end up being a few million more in salary. Franklin brings some risk if his play last season was a signal of decline, but if the Packers believe 2025 was an outlier, then he becomes a player who fills a need with a very reasonably priced contract. ) (Seth Walder)

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The Packers got the short end of that stick.