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Oregon Ducks' Troy Franklin Falling on Denver Broncos Depth Chart Amid Struggles

Reports indicate former Oregon Ducks football wide receiver Troy Franklin has been struggling in camp, and that showed up during the first preseason game for the Denver Broncos. Franklin will need to start performing if he hopes to not be cut from his first NFL team.
Kaleb Henry|
May 23, 2024; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin (16) during organized team activities at Centura Health Training Center.
May 23, 2024; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin (16) during organized team activities at Centura Health Training Center. | Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

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How you play as an NFL rookie in training camp won't define how the rest of your career goes, but it can impact where you slot in for that first season.

Former Oregon Ducks wide receiver Troy Franklin was drafted in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The Denver Broncos moved up to take the talented wideout, a Duck teammate of their first-round pick in quarterback Bo Nix.

Franklin signed a four year, $4.8 million contract with more than $850,000 guaranteed. What isn't guaranteed is a roster spot, something that is currently up for grabs, no matter the relationship with the future No. 1 quarterback.

Oregon wide receiver Troy Franklin celebrates a touchdown as the No. 6 Oregon Ducks take on the No. 16 Oregon State Beavers F
Oregon wide receiver Troy Franklin celebrates a touchdown as the No. 6 Oregon Ducks take on the No. 16 Oregon State Beavers Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. | Ben Lonergan / USA TODAY NETWORK

In the first preseason game, Franklin saw just one target while barely seeing the field. Could this be a case of the coaches holding him back and giving others the reps because his role will grow in future games? Maybe. But 16 Broncos recorded a reception against the Indianapolis Colts and Franklin wasn't one of them.

Franklin is now in a competition with another 2024 draftee: Devaughn Vele. Out of Utah, Vele is a full five years older than Franklin. Despite nearly 800 yards less in his final year of collegiate football compared to Franklin at Oregon, there's becoming a chance the former Ute steals a roster spot.

The two rookies are competing for the fifth receiver spot on the roster. The top four Bronco wide receivers are Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick, Josh Reynolds, and Marvin Mims Jr.

The next chance for Franklin to make an impression during live action will be Sunday against the Green Bay Packers. That game, from Mile High Stadium, is set for a 5 p.m. PDT kickoff.

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Kaleb Henry
KALEB HENRY

Kaleb Henry is an award-winning sports reporter, covering collegiate athletics since 2014 via radio, podcasting, and digital journalism. His experience with Big Ten Conference teams goes back more than a decade, including time covering programs such as the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Oregon Ducks, and USC Trojans.He has contributed to Sports Illustrated since 2021. Kaleb has won multiple awards for his sports coverage from the Nebraska Broadcasters Association and Midwest Broadcast Journalists Association. Prior to working in sports journalism, Kaleb was a Division I athlete on the Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Track and Field team.

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