Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
Size:
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 176 pounds
Arm Length: 31 7/8"
Hand Size: 8 3/4"
Accomplishments:
First Team All-Pac-12 (2023) • Second Team All-Pac-12 (2022)
“Troy Franklin is a dynamic vertical receiver with good route-running ability to win versus single coverage without safety help over the top.”
Strengths:
Elite deep speed
Zone recognition
Ball tracking
Route-running
Concerns:
Playing through contact
Play/functional strength
Contested catches
Film Analysis:
Troy Franklin is one of the fastest wide receivers in the country. He consistently showcases the ability to stretch the field and take the top off the defense. He has easy bursts/acceleration at the breaking point of his routes. Franklin’s play speed is overwhelming for defensive backs and strikes fear into most defensive coordinators. This is the reason, he faces mostly off-coverage and is given free releases. Pairing his speed with his long legs and stride, he is a hassle to stay in phase with vertically.
Franklin is a good route-runner. He uses tempo with quick footwork at the line of scrimmage to open the hips of the DB. He uses patient movements to keep DBs honest in soft-press man coverage. Franklin’s speed provides room for more route opportunities versus single coverage.
Franklin is a competitive receiver who is okay with diving passes. He has good body control to adjust to off-target throws. He offers alignment versatility where he can play in the slot or the Z-receiver positions. He understands to attack off-coverage and eat the cushion provided before breaking at the top of his stem. Franklin displays the mental processing necessary to find the vulnerable spots within the defense’s zone coverage.
Franklin has a thin frame and lacks functional strength. He has struggled with physical press-man coverage. His footwork in the contact window is fine but does not engage his hands to fight through the contact. Not an ideal weapon to target in high-traffic areas. Franklin does not come down with many high-point passes. He has not been strong in contested catch situations this season. Prefers to wait on the football to drop into his arms.
Franklin projects as a WR2 in a vertical NFL offense. Pairing him with an undisputed WR1 and a big-armed quarterback would get the very best out of his game. He has the speed and athletic ability you cannot teach. Pre-snap movement would be ideal due to his issues versus nasty bump-and-run DBs.
Prospect Projection: Day 2 — Winning Starter
Written By: Damian Parson
Exposures: Washington (2023), Washington (2023), Oregon St. (2023), Washington St. (2023)
