I like Franklin. I think he fits better in GB over Indi. The Packers strength is Run and short pass support. Valentine is our only true weakness there. He’s solid against the Pass, but he’s terrible in Run Support or even tackling in the open field. Yet around him are McKinney, Bullard, Evan Williams and Nixon. I even like Oladapo as a depth piece. Keisean Nixon is a highly underrated Tackling and Run stoping player. His biggest concern is he can get a little grabby when he’s lined up against guys who can fiat outrun him. I think the physicality mitigates some big plays but also draws a few extra yellow flags also. I often find myself saying at least he didn’t give up a 50 yard play and Nixon does frustrate his opponent and that I actually don’t want to take away from him. Live by the sword die by the sword type thing. Nixon was like #6 ranked Run stopping CB in the NFL in 2024 per PFF. That’s not an easy task. It’s partly why our opponents were averaging 3.9 per play in lots of games last year. Him and Bullard were mopping up short throws.
I think St Juste or Cisse are going to do battle at Starter opposite Nixon. imo. St Juste in particular played really good under Harbaugh, granted he was more a rotational but he performed really good. That’s what caught Brian’s attention imo.
Franklin is more like our former LB, Eric Wilson but a better in pure run stop and worse in coverage. Both are well above average at coming downhill and causing issues for Offenses in Run support or Rushing the Passer. Franklin’s weakness is dropping into coverage, although that’s been our weakness since Quay suited up also. I don’t see any notable regression there off 2025. Tbh, Q sucked in pass coverage also so nothing really changes imo. I noticed Q would get tangled with OL and wasn’t very good at shedding blocks. He used pure athleticism to make up for some lack of technique. Franklin is so quick with burst that he just flat runs right around blockers. You don’t log a league leading 170+ tackles unless you are a magnet.
