Troy Franklin

Hyped as a likely Day 1 or 2 draft pick, Franklin ended up falling to the fourth round, where Denver made an aggressive trade-up to take him with the second pick of Day 3 (102nd overall). The move pairs him with his college quarterback, Bo Nix, who helped Franklin break Oregon's single-season records for receiving yards (1,383), receiving TDs (14) and 100-yard games (eight). Franklin also holds the program record for career receiving TDs (25) and consecutive games with a reception (30, dating back to his true freshman season), and it's not like he embarrassed himself at the 2024 Combine (4.41 40 and 39-inch vertical). His other workout numbers were less impressive, however, especially for one of the thinnest WR prospects we've seen over the past few decades (6-2, 176). The lanky build and lack of strength largely explain why NFL teams were so skeptical of an early declare with huge college production who will be 21 years old his entire rookie season. Franklin's youth means there are better odds for him to add significant weight once he's in an NFL strength program, though it might cost him speed and agility. He at least has a clear path to playing time if he proves he belongs, with Josh Reynolds, Tim Patrick (ACL) and 2023 second-round pick Marvin Mims being the other candidates for Denver's No. 2 receiver job opposite Courtland Sutton. Read Past Outlooks