Year 2 leap for Denver Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin?

“Yes, it’s happening, and I’m excited,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said after a 27-7 preseason win over the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday. Franklin totaled four receptions for 67 yards and two touchdowns against Arizona, and he has looked sharp all summer.

Advertisement

“He’s had a really good camp,” Payton said. “He’s confident. I’ve said this a bunch of times, it has to happen on the field — and you guys that have covered this team or any other team — you see it in the preseason every year. Some players begin to make some plays, and it carries over. So that’s why these games are important. Obviously, it’s challenging when you’re not going to play your starting group, but when you see growth like that, and every year we don’t know who those players are going to be, but he played well tonight.”

Broncos quarterback Bo Nix, who played with Franklin at Oregon, said earlier this offseason that the receiver is more comfortable now that he knows the scheme going into his second season. Nix did not play against the Cardinals, but backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham threw two touchdown passes to Franklin in the win.

“It is hard to put into words because he has grown so much since last year,” Stidham said when asked about Franklin’s growth. “You can tell he is playing with so much confidence right now. I think he is going to help our offense in a really big way. I know the guys in our room are really excited about that and looking forward to it.”

Franklin echoed Nix’s assessment.

Advertisement

“I think I’m just more comfortable, got a little bit more freedom to go out there and just play,” Franklin said. “And also just knowing the offense as a whole.”

Franklin isn’t the only receiver turning heads in Denver this offseason. Pat Bryant, who was picked by the Broncos in the third round of the NFL draft, had four receptions for 70 yards against Arizona.

“It felt great, getting a lot more touches than I did last game,” Bryant said Saturday. “Really with the vets being out, just taking advantage of that opportunity. Going out there and playing with some of the ones a little bit and getting a little bit of a feel for the game.”

Bryant and Franklin are among the receivers competing for playing time behind Courtland Sutton and Marvin Mims. Frankin’s progress and Bryant’s emergence could be a huge development for the offense this fall.

Advertisement

“He is doing amazing,” Stidham said of Bryant. “Obviously, big expectations for him coming in as a receiver that we drafted. He keeps getting acclimated. Just like with any young guy, there is a learning curve, but the more he’s playing and the more confidence he’s gaining is huge. He made some really great plays tonight.”

Franklin and Bryant will get one more opportunity to impress before the regular season when the Broncos face the New Orleans Saints in their preseason finale on Aug. 23. After that, all eyes will turn toward Denver’s regular season opener against the Tennessee Titans in Week 1 (view the full schedule).

Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.

This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: Troy Franklin and Pat Bryant emerging at WR