Fantasy football is basically a game of "what have you done for me lately." If you aren't scoring 20 points every week, people act like you’re invisible. Right now, the troy franklin fantasy projection is sitting in a weird spot because people keep looking at the final box scores from the end of the 2025 regular season and panicking.
He didn't catch a single pass in the Week 18 win against the Chargers. Yeah, that's ugly. But if you’re actually watching the Denver offense under Sean Payton, you’ve seen the flashes. Franklin finished his second season with 65 catches for 709 yards and six touchdowns. For a fourth-round pick who looked lost at times during his rookie year in 2024, that is a massive step forward.
Honestly, the chemistry with Bo Nix is real. It isn't just a "college buddies" narrative anymore.
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The Oregon Connection Is No Longer Just a Story
People loved the "Nix to Franklin" storyline when they both landed in Denver. It was cute. But in 2025, it became a tactical advantage. Coach Sean Payton actually pointed out mid-season that Franklin has this "explosiveness" in his transitions that reminds the staff of Marvin Mims Jr.’s early potential, but with more route-running nuance.
Remember that Week 8 game against Dallas? Franklin went nuclear with six catches, 89 yards, and two touchdowns. He was Nix’s first read in the red zone. That doesn't happen by accident.
- Targets: 104 (significant volume for a WR2/3)
- Catch Rate: roughly 62.5%
- Deep Threat: He had 15 catches of 20+ yards
He's becoming that vertical seam threat the Broncos desperately needed. The issue is consistency. One week he's a WR1 candidate, the next he’s playing 38% of snaps and watching Pat Bryant take his looks.
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Why the Late Season Slump Happened
If you’re drafting for 2026 or looking at playoff DFS, you’ve probably noticed Franklin’s snap share plummeted in December. It's frustrating. He went from a 64% snap share in Week 16 against the Jaguars down to a measly 38% in Week 17.
Pat Bryant is the culprit here. Bryant, a rookie, started eating into the "Z" receiver snaps. This sort of competition is great for the Broncos but it's a nightmare for the troy franklin fantasy projection. When Bryant went down with a concussion, Franklin stepped back up (6 catches for 85 yards against Green Bay in Week 15), proving the talent is there when the opportunity exists.
Basically, Franklin is a "volume-dependent" speedster right now.
2026 Outlook: What to Expect Next
Looking ahead, we have to talk about Courtland Sutton. Sutton is still the alpha in this room, but he’s getting older. If the Broncos decide to move on or if his targets dip further, Franklin is the natural heir to those high-value looks.
Most projections for 2026 are going to lowball him. They'll look at the 709 yards and 6 TDs and slot him as a WR4. That is where you win. If he can stabilize his snap count and stay above that 60% threshold consistently, a 1,000-yard season isn't just a dream—it's the expectation.
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The kid has elite separation metrics against man coverage. You can't teach that. Nix is comfortable throwing into tight windows for him because he knows exactly where Troy is going to "bend and transition," as Payton puts it.
Practical Steps for Fantasy Managers
If you are in a dynasty league, buy now. His value dipped after the Week 18 donut and the rise of Pat Bryant. You can probably snag him for a mid-to-late second-round rookie pick or a vet who’s on the decline.
For redraft in 2026, he’s the ultimate "post-hype" sleeper. Everyone was obsessed with him in 2024, then forgot about him. Don't be that guy.
Keep a close eye on the Broncos' offseason moves. If they don't bring in a big-name free agent at receiver, it's a massive vote of confidence for Franklin. He’s already shown he can handle 100+ targets. Now he just needs to prove he can handle the grind of a full 17-game season without fading in December.
Monitor the training camp reports regarding his "strong hands." That’s been the one knock—occasional drops on contested balls. If he fixes that, his floor rises from "bench depth" to "weekly starter."
Keep track of the snap counts in the upcoming divisional round. If Franklin re-establishes himself as the clear #2 over Bryant in the playoffs, his 2026 ADP is going to skyrocket. Buy the dip while you still can.