Troy Franklin’s Hot Start is Not a Fluke

The Broncos’ 1-1 start has left fans wanting more. Nix has been inconsistent, the run game has been confusing, and the defense has been very hit or miss.

One of the primary bright spots for Denver, though, has been the tremendous play of sophomore receiver Troy Franklin. He has been the WR1 for the Broncos so far, and his developed connection with Bo Nix has been paying off.

However, Franklin has left fans wondering if this hot start is a preview of the future or just a flash in the pan.

In Troy Franklin’s first two games, he has notched an impressive 12 receptions for 133 yards. For reference, that is more receptions and yards than the likes of Drake London, Ladd McConkey, and Mike Evans. While some may view that as a fluky beginning to the season, it is far more likely that Franklin is just getting started.

Troy Franklin and Bo Nix spent two years together playing at Oregon, and we saw their connection there time and again. With Nix throwing him the ball, Franklin hauled in 142 receptions and 23 touchdowns for a whopping 2,274 yards as a Duck. Despite some early struggles between the duo early on in Denver, because they’ve already spent so much time together, their recent success this year is no surprise.

Additionally, the league has seen how well college teammates thrive together. Look no further than Joe Burrow and JaMarr Chase of the Bengals, or Tua Tagovailoa and Jaylen Waddle of the Dolphins.

Disregarding the previous connection, though, the state of the Broncos’ receiver room makes a Troy Franklin breakout seem inevitable.

With the losses of Devaughn Vele, Josh Reynolds, and Lil’Jordan Humphrey, the Broncos come into the season without much receiver depth. Additionally, current guys like Marvin Mims, Pat Bryant, and Trent Sherfield don’t pose much of a threat to Franklin’s playing time.

Pat Bryant is a rookie, so Denver will likely ease him into the system. Marvin Mims has been great in flashes, but will be used more in the slot and in creative roles than as a true outside receiver. And Trent Sherfield is less of a competitor for Franklin’s role and more so just the veteran to provide stability every now and then.

Clearly, Franklin will be seeing the field much more than he did last year, but it may even be possible that we see him make the jump all the way to WR1.

One of Troy Franklin’s biggest X-factors is his versatility. He has the ability to line up on the outside or in the slot. The Bronocs can use him as a deep ball threat or as a safe option on underneath routes. His electric speed allows him to get away from nearly any defender trying to keep up with him.

Additionally, as great as Courtland Sutton has been for the Broncos, he’s getting up there in age. At 29 years old, it’s unclear how long the Broncos will be able to depend on WR1-level production from him.

Sutton still draws in elite defensive assignments and sticks to mostly intermediate routes. This leaves Franklin with easier matchups and more chances to reel in the long balls.

In Atlanta several years ago, veteran receiver Julio Jones was able to suck in defenses and allow a younger receiver in Calvin Ridley to thrive. If Sutton can mentor Franklin and eventually pass him the torch, there’s no ceiling to what Franklin could go on to do.

Franklin has the skill, he has the chemistry with Nix, and he has the production so far. There is no reason that he can’t take his next step this season and catapult himself into the next tier of NFL wide receivers.