Oregon WR Troy Franklin On Playing With Lamar Jackson On Ravens: 'I Can Help Him'
If the Baltimore Ravens are going to maximize Lamar Jackson's potential and help him win his first Super Bowl, getting him another weapon should be among their priorities this offseason.
One player who could potentially make an already great offense even tougher to defend is Oregon receiver, Troy Franklin. Franklin, who made the All-Pac-12 first team in 2023, said he'd look forward to the opportunity to play with Jackson and that they'd each make their jobs easier.
Nov 18, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Oregon Ducks wide receiver Troy Franklin (11) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium.
Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
"It'd be cool to play with Lamar," Franklin said. "[I] grew up watching him too. [He's a] fast guy, elusive [and[ I can help him a lot too. [I can] make his job easier, and he can make mine my job easier.
The 6-foot-1, 176-pound receiver had 81 catches for 1,383 yards and 14 touchdowns in his junior season with the Ducks. He also ran a scorching 4.41 40-time at the NFL Scouting Combine. That time is 0.01 seconds better than the Ravens' first-round pick from last season, Zay Flowers.
He's also a much bigger target compared to Flowers, who measured at 5-foot-9 at the combine last year, though he's heavier than Franklin, as he weighed 182 pounds.
In drafting a player like Franklin, the tandem of him and Flowers can do a little bit of everything between their speed and size. Baltimore shouldn't hesitate to do whatever it takes to improve the receiving corps this offseason, even if it means taking a receiver like Franklin in the first round for the second straight year.
