One would think that a top receiver prospect linking up with his college quarterback in their rookie season could produce an exciting fantasy football outlook entering the NFL. Yet, Troy Franklin appears to be sliding down dynasty rookie draft boards in a similar fashion to his drop to Day 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft.
What can dynasty managers expect from Franklin heading into his rookie year and beyond?
Should You Draft Troy Franklin in Dynasty Fantasy Football?
One could make a compelling argument that the biggest definitive loser from the pre-draft process was Franklin after plummeting from a potential late first-round pick all the way to the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
The NFL Combine was where Franklin’s downward trend started and never really got back on course.
Franklin tested slower than expected (4.41-second 40-yard dash), measured both shorter (6’2”) and lighter (176 pounds) than expected, and generally looked uncomfortable during many of the drills.
Yet, Franklin being paired up with his college quarterback — Bo Nix — with the Denver Broncos certainly provides crucial familiarity and opportunity for Franklin to make the type of fantasy impact most were projecting when he was in the discussion for a Day 1 pick.
Franklin’s tape still suggests he could absolutely fly as a vertical threat. He flashes exceptional footwork running the vertical plane as a route runner with a production profile that suggests he simply kept getting better and better as his collegiate career progressed.
Regardless of the disappointing 40-time, Franklin remains among the best vertical threats in this class with his on-field GPS speeds — hitting 22.3 MPH against USC in 2023 — suggesting he has plenty of functional football speed.
The target competition in Denver also isn’t elite. Courtland Sutton is all that really stands in his way from being an alpha target earner in this offense. Sure, Marvin Mims Jr., Tim Patrick, or Josh Reynolds may have something to say about that, but the path is certainly there for Franklin to carve out a sizeable role in this offense.
Franklin is still a quality WR prospect to acquire in the second round of your upcoming dynasty rookie draft.
Who Is Franklin?
Background
Franklin is a long, vertical threat who stands at 6’2” and 176 pounds and was a highly touted four-star prospect coming out of California.
Franklin was a standout performer during his prep days at Menlo-Atherton High School, with 102 receptions for 1,790 receiving yards and 34 total TDs, which earned him an invitation to the 2021 All-American Bowl.
College Production
Franklin did contribute to the Oregon offense in his true freshman season with 18 receptions for 209 yards and a pair of scores in 2021, but he didn’t truly take off until Nix arrived in Eugene ahead of the 2022 campaign.
Franklin enjoyed a breakout sophomore year with 61 receptions for 891 yards and nine scores in a vastly improved Ducks passing attack in 2022.
MORE: Fantasy News Tracker
His development as an elite receiver continued into his junior year, once again seeing another jump in production across the board in 2023 with 81 receptions for 1,383 yards and 14 TDs, which led the Pac-12.
Franklin declared for the 2024 NFL Draft after his junior season.
Injury History
Franklin played through a shoulder injury towards the end of his junior year, which could give some context to his four-catch for 34 receiving yards (season-low) performance against the Washington Huskies in the Pac-12 Championship.
Franklin’s Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
- Vertical speed that can take the top off of any defense.
- Surprising ability to fire his feet quickly at the line of scrimmage (LOS) for a player his size.
- Has some of the physical traits to operate on the outside at the NFL level, but proved to be an effective slot player during his days at Oregon, which gives him plenty of formation versatility entering the NFL.
- Good tempo and timing on comeback routes; can eat up cushion in a hurry against off coverage and gear down once getting into a DBs blind spot.
- Adequate feel for attacking leverage and carving out more space on in-breaking routes at the top of his stem.
- Suddenness, twitch, acceleration, and elusiveness flash after the catch; plus-level feel for catching the ball and getting upfield in a hurry; destroys the angle of undisciplined DBs who underestimate his speed.
- Some impressive reps of winning with a stellar release and immediately stacking a DB on vertical routes while getting back on his line to win for his QB.
Weaknesses
- Drops were an issue in 2023; 10% drop rate in his junior year; tendency to look upfield before securing the football.
- Thinner frame could present some issues against physical corners in the NFL; his play strength at the catch point and at the LOS lacks consistency.
- Doesn’t consistently stay in his drive phase off the LOS against off coverage; shoulders don’t stay over his toes, which could tip off DBs at the next level that he is about to break off his route.
- Route running lacks consistency; would love to see him drive out of his breaks more consistently and work back down the stem on hitch routes.
- Impact as a run blocker was a bit limited and inconsistent.