Like an RKO out of nowhere, wide receiver Troy Franklin‘s ascension in Year 2 is giving opponents trouble. Drafted in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the football cognoscenti didn’t see this coming. Round 4 isn’t typically a starter round. That said, Franklin is a slightly above replacement-level No. 2 wide receiver in the NFL. For reference, there are 96 starting wide receivers. Offenses line up in 11 personnel more than 50% of the time.
Examining Troy Franklin’s Year 2 Ascension
It says something that the media wanted to speak with Franklin ahead of Week 13. The latter said “just making plays” is his goal coming out of the bye, among other things.
Franklin said, “Me personally, just want to keep doing what I’m doing. Stacking the week. Making plays when I need to make them and just making plays for my team and for my guys, man. That’s just what I kind of want to continue to do.”
Franklin keeping on doing what he’s doing is fine with Broncos Country along for the ride. Franklin is No. 32 in PFSN’s WR Impact Score, while teammate Courtland Sutton is No. 30. The Broncos’ offense, meanwhile, is No. 14 in PFSN’s Offense Impact Score, while the defense is No. 1 in PFSN’s Defense Impact Score.
Franklin’s stats are below.
81-46-509-5
That’s 46 receptions on 81 targets for 509 receiving yards and five touchdowns. In fact, Franklin is WR15 in fantasy football since Week 7 — his last five games before the bye. Don’t jump to call Franklin the Broncos’ No. 1 WR in real life, though — just in fantasy football. Head coach Sean Payton said, “We get some [WR] Courtland [Sutton] double. Philly, near the end of the game, we had a play we liked and shoot, the safety went right to him. We ended up throwing it away.”
Elsewhere, Franklin is part of Broncos general manager George Paton’s five best draft picks. In addition, Broncos head coach Sean Payton recently backed the wide receivers’ room, saying, “I’m happy with that room.” Franklin, meanwhile, should feast against the Washington Commanders in Week 13. Quarterback Bo Nix should continue to establish the pass in Week 13 as well. Broncos Country, let’s ride.
