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Is Troy Franklin Detroit Lions WR of Future?
Scouting report of Oregon wide receiver Troy Franklin
The Detroit Lions have upgraded multiple areas of need across both sides of the ball thus far this offseason.
At this present juncture, the organization still has a void at wide receiver, though. And, the void has grown even bigger since Josh Reynolds made the decision to sign with the Denver Broncos.
Sure, Detroit still possesses capable receivers on its roster, in the form of All-Pro Amon-Ra St. Brown and third-year pro Jameson Williams, as well as reserve wideouts Kalif Raymond and Donovan Peoples-Jones.
Yet, it doesn't take away from the fact that the Lions need to prioritize finding a No. 3-caliber receiver who can aptly replace the production of Reynolds.
Reynolds, a longtime favorite target of Detroit signal-caller Jared Goff, had one of his best seasons as a pro in 2023. He recorded 40 catches for 608 yards and five touchdowns during the Lions’ NFC North-winning campaign.
In an attempt to replace those numbers, it is expected that Detroit general manager Brad Holmes will draft a wideout in this April's NFL Draft. If Holmes waits until Day 2 to address the position, Oregon's Troy Franklin would be a great target.
The 6-foot-2, 176-pound receiver – equipped with elite speed – became known as a dynamic vertical threat, and consistently took the top off of defenses during his three seasons with the Ducks.
Franklin closed out his career at Oregon in standout fashion in 2023. He produced single-season school record totals in receiving yards (1,383), receiving touchdowns (14) and 100-yard receiving games (eight). And, for his efforts, he was a first-team All-Pac-12 selection and a consensus second-team All-America selection.
Franklin, who appears best suited to play in a vertical offense at the next level, is currently being projected to land anywhere from the end of the first round (i.e. with the Chiefs at No. 32 overall) to the end of the second round.
In fact, he was mocked to the Lions at No. 61 overall in ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller's recent seven-round mock draft. As Miller opined, “One persistent rumor this offseason: The Lions are doing work on the receiver class. Franklin is a speedster with vertical route expertise, and he would play perfectly opposite Amon-Ra St. Brown and alongside fellow sprinter Jameson Williams. The 6-2, 176-pounder ran a 4.41 at the combine, and that speed shows up on tape when he's running past defenders.”
Franklin, with his dynamic speed and big-play ability, has the makeup of a No. 2 receiver. And going into the 2024 campaign, he could comfortably slide into the role of Detroit's No. 3 receiver.
I think he'd be a perfect find by Holmes on Day 2 of this April's draft.
