Reunited with quarterback Bo Nix in the Mile High City, former Oregon wide receiver Troy Franklin was selected by the Denver Broncos in the 2024 NFL Draft after trading up.
The Denver Broncos are hoping that reacquainting rookie quarterback Bo Nix with his Oregon colleague Troy Franklin would help him adjust to life in the NFL.
The Broncos made a move up the draft board to choose receiver Franklin, who spent three years catching passes from Nix at college, on the last day of the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Seattle Seahawks and the Broncos have previous history together, but the 2022 trade for former Super Bowl winner Russell Wilson did not work out as planned, and he will be in Pittsburgh for the upcoming season after leaving the team just two years after the transaction was made.
They made contact with the Seahawks once more on Sunday in order to obtain their No. 102 pick in return for picks 126, 136, and 207. Furthermore, they were able to choose Oregon receiver Franklin with their seventh-round pick (No. 235).
The Broncos were nervous going into the draft, not knowing if they would be able to select Nix in the first round. Many have said that Nix may have gone too high with the 12th pick, but Denver wants to give him the best opportunity to succeed.
Notwithstanding the uncertainty, Franklin’s signing might make it easier for both players to adjust to life in the NFL. Ben DiNucci and Jarrett Stidham will be in the quarterback’s room with Nix, and head coach Sean Payton is optimistic that his first-round pick can have an immediate impact.
If Nix and Franklin are able to maintain their 2023 connection, it may be a big help. Franklin set career highs in receptions (81), yards (1380), and biggest single-play gain (84 yards) during the previous season, scoring 14 touchdowns in 13 games.
At the NFL Combine, the 6-foot-2, 180-pound receiver ran a 4.41 40-yard dash, providing the Broncos with explosive speed to make up for Jerry Jeudy’s trade to the Cleveland Browns.
Denver was eager to select Franklin first when they used their 12th overall choice on Nix, but they were not sure if their plans would be derailed until the very last minute. Six quarterbacks were picked in the first 12 picks, setting a new record in a first round dominated by quarterbacks.
The Chicago Bears’ first choice was always going to be Caleb Williams, with Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels expected to round out the top three.
But even the Broncos couldn’t figure it out; Nix, J. J. McCarthy, and Michael Penix Jr. might have been selected at any time.
“I think I said to (general manager) George Paton, ‘We think Minnesota likes J.J. McCarthy; we think—we don’t know this—we think the Raiders like Michael Penix,” Payton recalled following the first round. “We also enjoy Nix. Let’s all get on a conference call and declare that there are no financial outlays. We believe that this order is known.”
Penix Jr. was selected by the Atlanta Falcons with the eighth overall pick, creating a stir even though they had just signed Kirk Cousins. After the Vikings selected McCarthy and other teams gave different positions priority, the Broncos maintained composure and were able to acquire Nix.
Paton continued, “We just didn’t want to overthink it.” “This individual was ours. We planned to take our man. We gave it some thought, but not too much. In the end, this was our guy, even though we could have gained some picks and moved a few picks back.”
“Just take him, please. Don’t overthink this. If we had lost him for maybe a few fifth-round choices or anything, we would have been devastated.”