After being a healthy scratch in Week 1, Denver Broncos rookie wide receiver Troy Franklin made his NFL debut in Week 2, but he only drew one target.
Since then, Franklin has slowly started to become more involved in coach Sean Payton’s offense. Last week, Franklin posted highs in targets (six), receptions (five) and receiving yards (50) against the New Orleans Saints.
“I think there’s a confidence [in] not only what he’s doing, but confidence in playing at this level,” Payton said when asked about Franklin on Monday. “You certainly see it week-to- week. He’s someone that runs well. He knows how to separate. I think it’s part of being a young player, but particularly for him as a receiver, finding that role. He’s playing lot of ‘Z’ for us, sometimes in the slot, but I think he’s progressing pretty quickly.”
Through six games in the NFL, Franklin has 12 receptions for 110 yards and one touchdown. He has existing chemistry with quarterback Bo Nix from their time playing together at Oregon.
“His offensive retention [has improved],” Nix said this week. “Just his ability to learn the offense, grow and play a lot of the majority of the game. Being in a lot of different schemes, being able to block, run routes, [be a] deep threat and [a] short threat. Whatever it is, he’s been able to expand. It’s something that he obviously has done in the past in college, but it’s good to see him do it early in the NFL, too.”
As Franklin continues to get more comfortable in Payton’s offense, his role could expand as the season goes on. After a slow start, the 21-year-old receiver is trending up going into Week 8.
