Troy Franklin might’ve just delivered his most complete game of the season - and it couldn’t have come at a better time for the Broncos.
In Denver’s 34-26 win over the Packers on Sunday afternoon, Franklin looked every bit the No. 2 receiver the team has been searching for all year. With Courtland Sutton continuing to put up WR1 numbers, Franklin stepped into the secondary spotlight and made the most of it - catching all six of his targets for 85 yards and a touchdown. That’s not just a solid stat line; that’s a statement performance.
Let’s be honest - Franklin’s season hasn’t been smooth sailing. He’s had his share of frustrating moments, including a few drops that have turned up at the worst possible times.
The tipped pass that turned into an interception against the Raiders on Thursday Night Football still stings for many fans. And even when he did haul one in last week against Vegas, a bobble cost the Broncos a first down.
Those kinds of plays have made him a lightning rod for criticism in certain corners of Broncos Nation.
But Sunday? That was a different story.
Franklin was locked in from the jump. He didn’t just catch the ball - he attacked it.
Every target thrown his way was secured, and he turned those six receptions into 85 efficient, impactful yards. It was his first game this season catching 100% of his targets, and it couldn’t have come at a more critical point in the Broncos' playoff push.
The highlight of the day? That touchdown grab.
Franklin elevated, spun mid-air, and came down with the kind of catch that makes you sit up a little straighter on the couch. It was Bo Nix’s fourth touchdown pass of the afternoon, and it gave Denver the lead - but more than that, it felt like a moment where Franklin truly arrived.
Now in his second season, Franklin is starting to separate himself from the rest of the Broncos’ receiving corps. Sutton still leads the team with 63 catches for 886 yards, but Franklin is right on his heels with 57 grabs for 626 yards. More importantly, both receivers are tied with six touchdown receptions - a clear sign that Franklin is becoming a reliable red zone option.
And while the drops have been an issue - Franklin has four on the year, and the Broncos as a team have the second-most in the league with 33 - Sunday’s performance was a reminder of what he can be when everything clicks. This was his fourth game this season with 80 or more receiving yards. For comparison, he didn’t have a single 80-yard game as a rookie.
The growth is real. The consistency?
Still a work in progress. But if Franklin keeps trending in this direction, the Broncos may have finally found their long-term answer at WR2 - and that could be a game-changer for Bo Nix and this offense going forward.