One of the most intriguing storylines unfolding at Denver Broncos training camp is the competition at wide receiver. Jaylen Waddle and Courtland Sutton are slated to be the top tandem in the Broncos’ aerial attack this season. Yet the continued development of their young receiving corps will also be critical for the offense to ascend to new heights in 2026.
Entering his third season with the franchise, Troy Franklin is coming off the best season of his career. After a relatively quiet rookie campaign,
Franklin took flight in 2025 and was the Broncos’ second leading receiver. He trailed only Sutton in target share and production. He finished his second season with 65 catches for 709 yards and 6 touchdowns.
It’s unlikely that Franklin will see as much volume in year three compared to last year. Nevertheless, he figures to play an important role in Denver’s passing game. Yesterday, Head Coach Sean Payton took time to discuss Franklin’s progression to date and what he has improved upon since his rookie season in 2024.
“His understanding of the formations, the details. Maybe in a different offense where he’s lining up outside right, now all of the sudden he’s getting used to the different roles that he’s playing and the alignments on the field,” stated Payton.
“He has really good burst. That would be the one thing: he’s comfortable within the framework. It’s so much different than the system he had in college.”
It usually takes several seasons for wide receivers coming out of the collegiate ranks to finally hit their stride as pros. Last season, we saw tremendous growth from the former Oregon standout. While there were some issues with drops and downfield tracking, he made a lot of big plays that helped Denver earn several key victories.
After yesterday’s practice, Franklin noted he is better prepared this training camp compared to his first two years with the team. His knowledge of the offense is far more immense. Moreover, his chemistry with quarterback Bo Nix continues to get better each and every day.
“I would say a lot. It’s my third year in it, so I’m comfortable. I don’t really have to think anymore, so I can just go and play,” stated Franklin.
With Sutton and Waddle poised to earn the most looks in Denver’s passing endeavors, how the rest of the target share winds up being divided up remains a mystery. Franklin is competing alongside Marvin Mims Jr. and Pat Bryant for playing time during training camp.
With no clear leader in the competition thus far, how Payton and Offensive Coordinator Davis Webb choose to attack opposing defenses on a weekly basis will be fascinating to watch. Their bevy of talented receivers has a lot of potential. If they can live up to it and be more consistent in ‘26 compared to ‘25, Denver certainly has the ability to be one of the best offenses in the NFL.
