Ben Lonergan / USA TODAY NETWORK

NFL Draft 2024: Denver Broncos Reunite Troy Franklin with Bo Nix

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics | By Matt Lombardo | Last updated 4/27/24

The Enver Broncos added a familiar, and potentially prolific wide receiver, choosing Oregon’s Troy Franklin with the No. 102 overall pick in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft on Saturday afternoon.

The benefit of taking Franklin and dropping him into first-round pick Bo Nix’s arsenal is that these two have plenty of familiarity and built-in chemistry from their time together in Eugene.

Last season, Franklin caught a career-high 81 passes for 1,383 yards with 14 touchdowns, as one of the focal points of the Ducks’ vertical passing game.

“He’s not as explosive as (Jalin) Hyatt was coming out,” an NFC Scouting Director told NFL.com, of Franklin. “But I look at him in a similar way with what he can do for your offense and what you won’t ask him to do. He’s a better route runner than Hyatt.”

In Denver, Franklin not only represents a potential long-term solution and target for Nix, but, he’s also an insurance policy on a potential Courtland Sutton trade at some point this offseason before the 2024 regular season begins.

As a rookie Franklin should push Denzel Mims for a starting role in the Broncos’ receiving corps.

Troy Franklin NFL Draft Scouting Report

At 6-foot-3 and 170 pounds, Franklin is a big-bodied target who not only has shown an ability to be productive in the red zone but also frequently stretched the field on the receiving end of Nix’s passes.

Across his three collegiate seasons, Franklin caught 160 passes for 2,483 yards with 25 touchdowns, while averaging a whopping 15.5 yards per reception.

As Pro Football Focus points out, Franklin also forced 14 missed tackles last season while posting 558 deep yards, which was 11th most in the nation, en route to a strong 87.3 receiving grade from the outlet.

“Speed is the name of the game for Franklin,” The Bleacher Report Scouting Department writes. “His first step or two doesn’t blow you away, but he quickly kicks into high gear after that. Franklin has the top-end speed to outrun anybody down the field, and it’s rare for him to get caught once he gets a step on someone.

“Franklin isn’t just a speedster, though. He is a quick-footed and detailed route-runner. Franklin is constantly throwing different releases at defensive backs, making it difficult to get a read on him over the course of the game, even on repeated routes.”