Troy Franklin’s Breakout Moment: Watch the Oregon Ducks’ Electric WR Set Records and Stun Pac-12 Rivals

Rookie wide receiver Troy Franklin is quietly emerging as one of the Denver Broncos’ most intriguing play-makers midway through the 2025 NFL season. The former Oregon Ducks star, selected 102nd overall in the 2024 draft, has logged 24 receptions for 250 yards and a touchdown through Week 7, ranking him among the league’s top 60 in receiving yardage despite a limited target share. A FLASH OF BIG-PLAY POTENTIAL IN WEEK 7 During Denver’s nationally televised matchup against the New York Giants, Franklin produced the Broncos’ first explosive moment of the second half, snagging a tipped pass to set up a two-point conversion that cut the deficit to 19-8 early in the fourth quarter. Although Denver ultimately fell short, the 6-2, 185-pound receiver showcased the concentration and body control that made him a Pac-12 standout. WHY DENVER NEEDS FRANKLIN’S SPEED Sean Payton’s offense has struggled to stretch the field consistently, entering Week 7 ranked 24th in explosive-pass rate. Franklin’s 4.38-second speed forces safeties to honor the deep ball, opening underneath routes for Courtland Sutton and tight end Greg Dulcich. According to Pro Football Focus, Franklin is averaging 15.4 air yards per target, easily the highest on the roster, and 5.12 yards per route run in limited snaps, a metric that places him among the league’s most efficient rookies through seven games. FROM DUCKS DOMINANCE TO MILE-HIGH OPPORTUNITY At Oregon, Franklin racked up 1,383 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2023, finishing with the second-highest single-season receiving total in school history. Scouts questioned whether his wiry frame would hold up against press coverage, but the rookie has responded by posting a respectable 73 percent route-participation rate and lining up on both the boundary and in the slot, making him a mismatch wherever he aligns. FANTASY FOOTBALL OUTLOOK With bye weeks thinning fantasy rosters, Franklin is becoming a popular waiver-wire target. He has drawn six or more targets in three of his last four contests and now faces a soft stretch of defenses that includes the Chargers and Panthers, both ranking in the bottom 10 against perimeter receivers. Managers in 12-team PPR formats should treat him as an upside WR3 with weekly boom potential. WHAT TO WATCH IN THE SECOND HALF • Red-zone usage: Franklin owns just three red-zone targets so far. Payton hinted this week that the staff “wants the ball in his hands more often” near the goal line. • Chemistry with Bo Nix: The rookie quarterback-receiver duo connected for 88 receptions at Oregon; their timing could unlock a vertical element Denver has lacked since 2021. • Rookie wall: Conditioning was a concern during the pre-draft process. How Franklin maintains weight and explosion over a 17-game schedule will determine his late-season ceiling. BOTTOM LINE Troy Franklin’s combination of track-star speed, advanced route running and pre-existing chemistry with Bo Nix makes him a potential breakout candidate as the Broncos chase offensive consistency. If his target share continues to climb, the rookie could transform from a deep-league stash into a staple of fantasy lineups — and a central figure in Denver’s rebuilding project.