Former Oregon Duck star blossoming heading into his second season and could be in store for a big year
Former Oregon Duck star receiver is breaking out for the Broncos this preseason and could be primed to take the next step.
Troy Franklin didn’t get much chance to shine as a rookie, but on Saturday night against the Cardinals, the young wideout gave a glimpse of what could be coming in Year 2. Franklin tied Pat Bryant with a team-best four receptions, turning them into 67 yards and two touchdowns.
Head coach Sean Payton praised Franklin’s progress afterward, noting his strides this offseason. “You can see it happening, and I’m excited about it,” Payton said via team transcript. “He’s been playing in multiple spots and had a really strong camp. He’s confident. But it has to carry over into games, and tonight you saw some of that. Every preseason, players step up, and you never know exactly who it’ll be, but he played really well tonight.”
With rookie QB Bo Nix sidelined, Franklin made all his plays working with Jarrett Stidham, who put together an efficient outing of his own. Franklin wasted no time making an impact, hauling a 27-yard touchdown down the sideline on his first target. Right before halftime, he helped fuel an 88-yard drive with a 16-yard grab, then capped it off by winning a tough, back-shoulder battle against cornerback Denzel Burke for his second score of the night.
Those two touchdowns already equal his total from 2024, when Franklin finished his first season with 28 catches for 263 yards. While he’s already known for his speed, his ability to come down with contested passes adds another dimension that could help him and the Broncos’ offense take a step forward.
“I just feel more comfortable this year,” Franklin said after the game. “I’ve got a little more freedom to just go out there and play.”
Courtland Sutton remains the clear No. 1 in Denver’s receiver group, but the rest of the depth chart is wide open. Devaughn Vele led the group behind Sutton with 41 catches a year ago, Marvin Mims Jr. provided six touchdown grabs, and Bryant is working to carve out a role of his own. If Franklin keeps building on his preseason momentum, there’s a realistic path for him to become Denver’s No. 2 option.
His teammates see it too. “It’s hard to explain how much he’s grown since last year,” Stidham said. “He’s playing with so much confidence, and I think he’s going to be a huge help for our offense. We’re all really excited to see where this goes.”
