Would any Indianapolis Colts fan agree with the following: "New Green Bay Packers linebacker Zaire Franklin is one of the top players in the NFL?" The answer is almost certainly no.
Yet, that is how Sports Illustrated's Bill Huber recently started an article about the linebacker. And, to be fair to Huber, who is quite good at what he does normally, the article was about the good off-field work that Franklin does. But beginning an article that way might make one completely tune out what is to come.
Franklin has never been or ever will be one of the best players in professional football. He did have times of very goodness, but he was not transformative on the field. He also appears to have lost a step, which made his struggles in pass coverage even worse. Packers fans will learn that this season.
Green Bay Packers writer offers interesting critique of former Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin
Plus, Indy has a very good chance of having its inside linebacker duo be better without Franklin, something that would never be said about one of the true "top" players in the league. The Colts drafted CJ Allen in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft out of Georgia, and also chose Bryce Boettcher in the fourth round from Oregon.
Both of those players have received rave reviews from coaches in offseason workouts, and Allen, especially, should be a starter in Week 1 as well as the likely green dot on Lou Anarumo's defense. Boettcher could become a starter at some point during the season, too.
What makes both likely upgrades over Franklin is their ability to cover tight ends and running backs. The new Green Bay Packers linebacker has never been able to do that well. In the last four seasons, since Franklin became a full-time starter, he's had a passer rating allowed of at least 103.2, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
Every year since 2022, his passer rating allowed has trended worse. In 2025, it was 109.3. He's also given up, on average, more than 10 yards a catch in the last four seasons. That's awful for a player at his position. Compare that to Devin Lloyd, formerly of the Jacksonville Jaguars and now with the Carolina Panthers, who has given up around nine yards a reception in two of the last three years.
Lloyd also had five interceptions last season and allowed just one touchdown. In eight seasons, Franklin has only had three picks.
At Oregon, Boettcher allowed a passer rating of only 74.7 in 2025. Sure, good college statistics do not mean instant professional success, but the number at least implies the rookie has the skill to cover than Franklin has clearly never had. Meanwhile, Boettcher and Allen both excel at tackling.
The Indianapolis Colts should have a better defense beginning in 2026 and well beyond because Zaire Franklin isn't on it. His deficiencies were too easily exposed. That isn't something one would say about "one of the top players in the NFL."
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