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We might be about to find out just how cutthroat Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton is willing to be in his pursuit of a 2nd career Super Bowl win.
Payton has already cut loose 1 of his longest-tenured assistants when he fired offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi following the season — now 1 outlet is suggesting Payton turn 1 of his favorite Broncos into a trade asset.
Pro Football Focus NFL reporter John Kosko called Broncos’ 2-time NFL All-Pro and 2-time Pro Bowl wide receiver/return specialist Marvin Mims the franchise’s “Top Trade Asset” this offseason.
“The Broncos recently traded a premium asset for wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, creating a crowded and talented receiver room,” Kosko wrote. “With that surplus, it makes sense that one of the younger options could become expendable — most notably Marvin Mims Jr. or Troy Franklin. Neither player has fully broken out in Denver, but both offer speed and field-stretching ability. While neither would command significant draft capital, Mims likely carries more value due to his added impact as a returner.”
Franklin Seems Closer to Becoming WR2/WR3
In terms of who seems closer to becoming a legitimate WR2 or WR3 option alongside Waddle and veteran Courtland Sutton, who has consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in 2024 and 2025, it seems like Franklin is the clear choice.
Franklin, a 2024 4th round pick (No. 102 overall), was a college teammate of Broncos quarterback Bo Nix at the University of Oregon and made a significant leap in his 2nd season.
As a rookie in 2024, Franklin had 30 receptions for 317 yards and 3 touchdowns, then saw those numbers leap up to 65 receptions for 704 yards and 6 touchdowns in 2025.
The problem with Franklin was that he disappeared down the stretch. In the Broncos’ final 2 regular-season games and 2 playoff games, he had just 4 receptions for 17 yards and no touchdowns.
It’s not a problem that can’t be fixed. At 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds, Franklin should be able to add another 10-15 pounds of muscle to make himself more durable and more in line with how elite NFL wide receivers are built.
Broncos Can Get Max Value in Marvin Mims Trade
Another advantage Franklin has is — barring some unforeseen breakout season — the Broncos have him locked in for 2 more years at an incredible rate on his 4-year, $4.87 million rookie contract.
Mims’ contract situation is much more difficult to parse.
“The Broncos’ 2023 draft class will be able to get contract extensions this year,” DNVR’s Zac Stevens wrote on his official X account on February 21. “That class was: Marvin Mims, Drew Sanders, Riley Moss, JL Skinner, Alex Forsyth.”
Of that class, Mims and Moss have developed beyond full-time starters into high-impact players over the last 3 seasons, while Forsyth has been arguably the Broncos’ top option off the bench on the offensive line.
Mims’ success — just like Moss — might make him more valuable as a trade asset. It also might benefit Mims to go to a team that’s not a contender in order to get the payday he deserves.
“PROJECTION: Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. is projected to sign a three-year, $33 MILLION deal this offseason,” ML Football wrote on its official X account. “This is an average annual value of $11 million. Mims is 23 years old and is a 2x All-Pro and 2x Pro Bowler — One of the elite returners in the NFL.”
Tony Adame covers the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Commanders, Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos. A veteran sports writer and editor since 2004, his work has been featured at Stadium Talk, Yardbarker, NW Florida Daily News and Pensacola News Journal. More about Tony Adame
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