Bo Nix exceeded expectations in his first season with the Denver Broncos, but the offense often sputtered due to a lack of reliable receiving threats. While general manager George Paton will likely be looking to bolster the receiving corps through free agency and the draft, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF), a potential solution may already be on the roster: Troy Franklin.
Franklin, a fourth-round pick in 2023, had a relatively quiet rookie season, earning a modest 54.5 PFF receiving grade. He appeared in 16 regular-season games with six starts. He totaled 28 receptions on 53 targets for 263 yards and two touchdowns in the regular season, but a closer look at his performance reveals some intriguing underlying numbers.
In a recent PFF article written by Bradley Locker, he highlighted who he believes will be a breakout player for each team.
“While Bo Nix played better than anticipated, a subpar receiving corps held him and Denver’s entire offense back. The Broncos will likely try to upgrade at both tight end and receiver, but Franklin could be a sleeper solution. The fourth-round pick produced just a 54.5 PFF receiving grade in his first pro season, but his separation metrics (83rd percentile overall, 64th percentile vs. single coverage) inspire confidence. If Franklin can improve his hands — albeit a problem dating back to his collegiate days — he could emerge as a downfield threat with Nix in Year 2,” Locker wrote.
As noted by Locker, Franklin has a knack for creating separation from defenders. This was evident in the playoff game against the Buffalo Bills, where he got open on the first drive for a 43-yard touchdown – a historic moment as the first rookie-to-rookie touchdown in NFL postseason history. Further reinforcing his potential, Franklin’s separation metrics are impressive, particularly his 83rd percentile ranking overall. This suggests he has the tools to become a truly dangerous weapon in the NFL.
Troy Franklin with the touchdown from Bo Nix to start the game, Broncos start off hot vs Bills 👀 pic.twitter.com/zbKgZXvgwu
— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) January 12, 2025
Former Denver Bronco Jerry Jeudy’s recent success offers a promising glimpse into what Franklin can become. Before joining the Browns, Jeudy’s career highs were 67 receptions and 972 yards, and he had a history of drops. However, in his first season with Cleveland, he exploded onto the scene, racking up an impressive 90 receptions for 1,229 receiving yards – the sixth-highest total in the entire league.
Bolstering Franklin’s potential for a breakout season is his established connection with quarterback Bo Nix. Their chemistry dates back three seasons to their time together at Oregon. Now reunited in Denver with a year of NFL experience under their belts, they have a valuable opportunity to refine their timing and connection this offseason.
With the rookie learning curve behind them and a full offseason to hone their chemistry, Franklin is poised to take a significant leap forward in Year 2. PFF’s prediction of a breakout season seems well-founded, given the potential for this dynamic duo to flourish in Denver.