Troy Franklin Explodes Toward the Ball

It takes something special for me to mock a receiver into the first round and Oregon’s Troy Franklin has something special.

For starters, he caught almost everything thrown in his direction during this six-game study of 2022 game film. He has dependable and confident hands he uses to pluck the ball right out of the air. All told, he caught 61 of 89 targets last season. That’s a 69% catch rate.

No matter if he was covered tightly or if he found soft spots in secondaries – – it didn’t matter. Franklin still came down with it. I must credit First Round Mock’s very own Colton Edwards for turning in the first report on Franklin. He was the front-runner on this elite Oregon receiver. The work I’ve done only further confirms it.

This guy is a baller.

What does Franklin look like running routes?

He’s quick and sudden off the line of scrimmage, which allows him to easily achieve route leverage on corners who dare to come up and play tight press-man coverage against him.

One of his elite characteristics about this prospect is how crisp he is at route breakpoints. He’s as quick as a hiccup changing direction and tough to keep up with.

From there Franklin accelerates toward the ball, and he can take the top off a defense. Franklin was seen blowing past corners and safeties deep.

Franklin has true home-run hitting ability.

No matter where he is on the field, he shows good balance after the catch, which allows him to pick up additional yardage.

Defenses constantly have to account for him.

Excellent Concentration

This is a stand-alone section because I want to emphasize how well Franklin shows he can concentrate on the ball.

It’s like he has tunnel vision when it comes to making catches. No matter how tight the coverage is, Franklin shows the ability to look the ball into his dependable hands.

He isn’t afraid to go into heavy traffic areas to make receptions either.

Fierce Competitor

One of Bill Parcells ‘critical factors of scouting,’ was “Is football important to him?”

How does this show up for a receiver?

It shows up in making the tough catches and it shows up when he’s run blocking.

This Oregon receiver shows a willingness to mix it up with defensive backs. He’s just as competitive blocking as he is as a receiver.

An NFL team can win with a guy like this.

Conjures up memories of Jordan Addison

When I watched Vikings (former USC) receiver Jordan Addison on tape before the 2023 NFL Draft, he was all over the field. My affectionate nickname for Addison was “The human pinball.” Of course, Addison has gone on to have a monster rookie season for Minnesota.

Franklin is a similar type. He is all over the field and can strike from anywhere. He’s an explosive weapon that can accelerate at the drop of a hat that defenses have to account for at all times.

A true difference maker with an elite skillset.

#11 Troy Franklin 6-foot-3, 187 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Fall 2023 Grade: First-Round (I would select him)

Projected by 26.5% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of November 15, 2023 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

Game film reviewed (2022): UCLA, Washington, Georgia, Utah, BYU, and Washington State (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2022 stats: 61 catches for 891 yards (14.6 avg), 9 touchdowns, 67-long

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Good sized target who glides and plucks the ball out of the air with his dependable hands. Rare size and speed combination. Lean aerodynamic frame. Can motion pre-snap. Good and quick release to achieve leverage against corners. Polished route runner who explodes into secondaries. Quick change of direction. Fluid. Sudden movements. Light on his feet. Spring in his step. Darts around. Looks the ball into his strong hands. Not the easiest to bring down after the catch. Wants more yards. Dependable and productive. Threat short, intermediate, and deep. Great adjusting back to the ball. Excels getting deep. Makes it look easy. Quiet against Georgia. Willing blocker.

What to watch for during the 2023 season

1. Back-to-back blockbuster seasons?

2. Big play capability shown?

3. Consistently producing game after game?

4. Does he step more into the spotlight and become “the guy?”

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, contributes at Yardbarker, and has written for Sports Illustrated Lions, Jets, and 49ers, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.