Troy Franklin's 104 Targets Are About To Disappear, And The Broncos Might Not Be Ready For It

Okay, so the Broncos just pulled off a big trade, snagging Jaylen Waddle. And for one guy on their roster, Troy Franklin, this ain't just another day at the office. This is a game-changer, plain and simple! Last season, Franklin was second only to Courtland Sutton in Denver, racking up 104 targets, 65 catches, 709 receiving yards, and six touchdowns. He was the guy behind Sutton, making plays. Now? With Waddle in the mix, everything just got flipped upside down for a player who was supposed to be a rising star.

Waddle's Arrival: A New Pecking Order

You gotta feel for Franklin a little, right? Here's a dude, a 2024 fourth-round pick, who carved out a serious role for himself. He was getting major looks, becoming a reliable target. But then the Waddle trade drops, and suddenly, the landscape shifts. Franklin himself told Luca Evans of The Denver Post, "He’s a guy who’s coming in who’s a first-rounder." He knows the score, he knows the talent. "We traded high value for him, and he’s going to get his touches, you know?" That's the cold, hard truth of the NFL. When you bring in that kind of capital, the ball is gonna find that guy. Waddle's gonna command targets, period.

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The 1,000-Yard Dream That Just Evaporated

Before the Waddle bombshell, Franklin had his sights set on hitting his first 1,000-yard season in 2026. A real personal milestone, something every receiver chases. But with Waddle and Sutton now expected to hog most of the targets, that 1,000-yard goal? Yeah, that's looking pretty unlikely right now. It's a tough pill to swallow when you're grinding for that kind of achievement.

But Franklin's not totally defeated. He’s trying to find the silver lining, saying, "we’re not just going to be predictable. . . . ‘Oh, yeah, we’re giving 17 [Waddle] the ball every play.’ It’s just one of those deals where I think we just always gotta be ready.” He's hinting that while his total targets will likely go down, the quality of those looks might actually get better. He told Evans, "Obviously, I think it’s a bit of both. You got a guy coming in like that obviously he’s getting paid more than me, or" , the quote cuts off, but you get his drift. Less volume, maybe more efficiency? It's the ultimate glass half full, half empty situation for a young wideout in a crowded room.

So, what does this mean for the Broncos and for Franklin? It's early in the season, but these kinds of moves shape team dynamics fast. You've got a talented young receiver who saw his role diminish overnight, even if he's trying to stay positive. The Broncos clearly believe Waddle is the missing piece, but integrating him while keeping guys like Franklin engaged is going to be a huge test for their offensive coordinator. We'll be watching how that receiving corps shakes out. Can Franklin truly make those "better looks" count? Or will this become a situation where a promising talent gets lost in the shuffle? The stakes for Franklin's career, and for the Broncos' offense, are absolutely real.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.