Dynasty Rookie Report Card: Troy Franklin and Brian Thomas Jr.

Each week throughout the 2024 NFL season, I’ll cover two rookies in the Rookie Report Card and will generally write about the most prominent performers from that particular week. I’ll discuss how well he’s lived up to expectations at the NFL level and then grade the player in three categories: performance to date, rookie season potential, and long-term upside.

Troy Franklin, WR DEN

Week 7 stats: 5 receptions on 6 targets for 50 yards.

In an underwhelming week seven Thursday Night Football contest, Troy Franklin led the way for the Broncos’ passing attack in a 33-10 win over the Saints. Although he failed to get into the endzone, Franklin led Denver in targets, receptions, and yards after scoring his first touchdown four days earlier in week six. Over the last two weeks, Franklin has seen 54% of his total season snaps, so he’s definitely trending upward as the season moves along after starting the year as a healthy scratch in week one.

Franklin came into the league out of Oregon with many fans waiting to see what he could do in the NFL after leading the PAC-12 in receiving touchdowns in 2022 and 2023. As a member of an Oregon program that has had some serious offensive production, Franklin was able to stand out. According to machronicle.com:

“In his 2023 season with the Ducks, Franklin set several single-season records, with [sic] 1,383 receiving yards, 14 receiving touchdowns, and eight 100-yard receiving games. At Oregon, Franklin set the record for all-time receiving touchdowns— 25, [and] tied for most 100-year receiving games with 11”.

With solid college production below his belt, it was widely believed that Franklin was one of the better receivers in a stacked receiver draft, and he would likely be a second round selection, and at worst a day-two pick.