Troy Franklin

The Broncos' March 2026 trade for Jaylen Waddle (cost: 1st, 3rd, 4th-round picks) reshuffles Denver's WR hierarchy to Waddle > Sutton > Franklin. Franklin ranked 2nd on the team in targets in 2025 (104) but now projects as a clear WR3 with meaningfully compressed target share and a reduced fantasy ceiling entering 2026.

Game logs show a clear late-2025 fade: target share fell to 4% and snaps to 42% by W18, with three of his final four games under 11% target share. The trend was already pointing down before Waddle arrived.

Franklin missed the AFC Championship game with a hamstring strain suffered in the divisional round and also had hamstring issues late in the season. Soft tissue injuries can linger for young receivers and require monitoring heading into 2026.

Sean Payton fired both OC Joe Lombardi and WR coach Keary Colbert after the playoff loss, introducing uncertainty for Franklin's route-running development and scheme fit under new position coaching and offensive play-caller Davis Webb.

Franklin's role declined drastically down the stretch with only 4 catches for 17 yards over his final 4 games before the hamstring injury, while Pat Bryant seemingly overtook him. He also tied for second in the NFL with 8 dropped passes, raising questions about reliability.

Denver now carries four legitimate WR options in Waddle, Sutton, Franklin, and Pat Bryant, with Marvin Mims still on the roster. In standard 3-WR sets, Franklin's path to consistent volume requires an above-average passing attack volume or attrition above him on the depth chart.

At 23 years old, Franklin is in prime value appreciation window for WRs. His underlying athleticism and potential should continue improving over next 2-3 seasons with development reps.

Franklin had 65 catches, 709 yards, six touchdowns in 2025, tripling his rookie output. He finished second among all NFL wide receivers in screen catches and fourth in yards on screens, demonstrating offensive scheme fit and production trajectory.

Franklin has chemistry with quarterback Bo Nix dating back to their Oregon days. Franklin matched or exceeded Courtland Sutton's target volume in four consecutive late-season games and had 34 targets over the last four weeks, tied for fourth most in the league, indicating Sean Payton's confidence in the connection.

Franklin is 22 years old (born February 6, 2003) and still in his prime value appreciation window. Franklin plans to add 10 pounds to his frame before next season, addressing physical development concerns while maintaining athleticism at a young age.

At 23 years old, Franklin is squarely in the prime value appreciation window for WRs. His production trajectory (263→709 yards Y1→Y2) suggests he's entering his breakout phase with 2-3 peak seasons ahead.

Franklin has pre-existing chemistry with Bo Nix from their Oregon days and matched or exceeded Sutton's target volume in four consecutive late-season games. He had 34 targets over the final four regular-season weeks, tied for fourth most in the league, showing Payton's growing trust.

Young WR (23) — still in value appreciation phase