The Denver Broncos know who their No. 1 wide receiver is. After giving a contract extension to Courtland Sutton last week, the team has locked him up for the next several years.
However, the race to see who would be the No. 2 wide receiver was wide open. Second-year player Troy Franklin may be getting a firm grip on that position, however.
Franklin had a disappointing rookie season, but he closed it out strong. He started slowly in camp, falling well behind seventh-round pick Devaughn Vele. That carried through the season as Vele was given more snaps (447 to 386) and he had more receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns than Franklin.
Despite catching just 28 passes as a rookie, Franklin left a lasting impression by catching the team's only touchdown in a 31-7 loss to Buffalo in the playoffs. Despite the ugly defeat, that play showed Broncos Country that the Broncos were building something with Franklin and Bo Nix.
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
That was always the entire thought behind drafting Franklin — and trading up to do so — in the fourth round last year. Nix and Franklin played together at Oregon, creating a terrific connection that George Paton and Sean Payton hoped would carry over to the NFL.
The Broncos needed a player to step up this summer and be willing to take on that No. 2 role and right now, Franklin has to be the front-runner for the job.
Really liking what we are seeing from Troy Franklin this camp. 📈 pic.twitter.com/8cAncltRa0
— Cody Roark (@CodyRoarkNFL) August 5, 2025
Team period has just begun and it's being reported that Troy Franklin has already had multiple big gains on the 49ers' defense
— SleeperBroncos (@SleeperBroncos) August 7, 2025
It's been incredible hearing and reading these updates everyday. Bo Nix has connected with Troy on a few passes early today at joint practice 🔥 pic.twitter.com/a5kFBdEeFp
Franklin turned heads in the joint practice the team held with the San Francisco 49ers, and he is beginning to develop into the player the Broncos hoped they were getting last year.
READ: What grade did Broncos receive for drafting Troy Franklin?
Though Vele and Marvin Mims, Jr. will still have some say in who wins the No. 2 job before the season starts, Franklin has done exactly what anyone should have hoped for him to do this summer, and if he keeps up that pace, he will be in line to have a big sophomore year as a professional.
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