Sean Payton identifies one Denver Broncos player that’s had a “number of explosive plays” in OTAs

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Troy Franklin picked up right where he left off last season in his second year with the Denver Broncos.

After an up-and-down rookie season, the fourth-round pick closed out his rookie year with a career-high 54 receiving yards in the Broncos’ playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills.

The speedster was responsible for the Broncos’ brightest moment in the playoffs, as well as their only points, when he caught a 43-yard touchdown pass from Bo Nix to give Denver their only lead of the game.

Franklin’s 43-yard touchdown against the Bills was also the biggest play of his young NFL career. The 6-foot-3, 180-pound receiver has carried over that big-play potential to his second year in the NFL.

“You haven’t been able to see all the plays, but there have been a number of explosive plays [in OTAs],” Sean Payton told the media after the team’s final OTA practice on Thursday, when talking about Franklin.

The Nix-to-Franklin connection that was so strong at Oregon has apparently reconnected in the Mile High City.

Along with Franklin’s talent, one of the most intriguing parts of Denver using their fourth-round pick on him in the 2024 NFL Draft was his chemistry with Nix in college. During Nix and Franklin’s final year at Oregon, Troy was Bo’s favorite target. Franklin led the team in receiving yards (1,383), receiving touchdowns (14), yards per reception (17.1) and total touchdowns (14).

In their rookie seasons in Denver, the two weren’t on the same page nearly as much as they were in college. Nix only connected with Franklin on 52.8 percent of his targets, with many potential big plays just missing.

According to the Broncos’ head coach, however, that connection has rekindled this offseason.

“He can run,” Payton added about Franklin. “I would say a strength of his is ball-in-hand after the catch. He can run after the catch. He’s doing well.”

During his rookie season, Franklin’s playmaking ability flashed. In Week 7, in the Broncos’ blowout win over the New Orleans Saints, Franklin’s 50 receiving yards and five catches led the team. In the Wild Card loss to the Bills, Franklin’s 54 receiving yards was the second most on the team, only trailing Courtland Sutton.

Back wearing his college number 11, it appears Troy Franklin and Bo Nix’s connection is back to what it was during their time together at Oregon. That’s game-changing news for the Broncos’ passing attack.