The Denver Broncos had seven picks in the 2024 NFL Draft and with the 12th overall pick, they selected QB Bo Nix and followed up with his WR at Oregon, Troy Franklin. The were heavy on the offensive side of the ball, only selecting one defense player this year.

Here is how George Paton and Sean Payton did with their selections for the Denver Broncos 2024 NFL Draft:

Round 1: 12th Overall – QB Bo Nix, Oregon

Round 3: 76th Overall – EDGE Jonah Elliss, Utah

Round 4: 102nd Overall (Seattle through Washington) – WR Troy Franklin, Oregon

Round 5: 145 Overall (NYJ) – CB Kris Abrams-Draine, Missouri

Round 5: 147 Overall – RB Audric Estime, Notre Dame

Round 7: 235 Overall (SEA) – WR Devaughn Vele, Utah

Round 7: 256 Overall (NYJ) – C Nick Gargiulo, South Carolina

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Broncos Rookie Reveals How QB Bo Nix ‘Makes a WR’s Job Easier’

The Denver Broncos are eager to explore what lies ahead for the Nix-to-Franklin relationship in its upcoming chapter.

The Denver Broncos started assembling their future franchise quarterback during the NFL draft after selecting Oregon quarterback Bo Nix in the first round. The Broncos would trade up to draft Oregon’s Nix in the fourth round, possibly demonstrating their devotion to him.

Troy Franklin, a wide receiver, was selected with the 102nd overall choice in the draft. The Broncos called Franklin, and shortly after, Nix sent him a Facetime to congratulate him on their new football home.

“It is just a dream come true,” Franklin said in his first conference call with Denver media following the draft. “I’m so glad that somebody just gave me a chance, the Broncos gave me a chance to go out there and showcase my talent and do whatever I need to do to help the team. It is very great to be back with my guy who I played with in college.”

Franklin bolstered his draft stock by attending Nix’s private workout for the Broncos the day following Oregon’s pro day. Head coach Sean Payton detailed the impression Franklin made on him during that workout They disclosed that they made sure to question Nix about “a few players” when he showed up at Broncos HQ on Friday for his first press conference before Day 2 of the draft. Franklin was undoubtedly one of them.

Payton stated on Saturday night, “We asked Bo about a few players when he was here yesterday at lunchtime.” In particular, what were your thoughts? That is something we do rather frequently.”

Payton wasn’t going to allow the Broncos miss Franklin’s slide into Day 3 as a prospect who many pundits had given a Day 2 rating on. GM George Paton related how his counterpart awoke on Saturday morning thinking only of Franklin.

“We left about midnight because we were here late, obviously,” Paton said on Saturday following Day 3. “Sean sleeps in a bit typically. I knew when I got a text at 6 a.m. that said, ‘Let’s get this player,’ that we had to figure this one out. It was universal. It was a consensus.”

Franklin brings 4.41 speed to the table at 6-foot-2 and 176 pounds. He also has some room on his frame to add some weight.

After a so-so start to his career at Oregon, Franklin exploded when Nix arrived via the NCAA transfer portal. Posting 891 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in 2022 catching passes from Nix, Franklin quickly began showing the NFL what he could accomplish with a competent quarterback.

However, the Nix-to-Franklin connection exploded in 2023, with the receiver hauling in 81 receptions for 1,383 yards and a whopping 14 touchdowns. Franklin detailed what it’s like catching passes from Nix.

“They are very catchable,” Franklin said of Nix’s throws. “He makes the receiver’s job easier. That is my guy right there.”

Franklin reminisced on the past two years and how much work he and his fellow Oregon wideouts put in to help Nix pass for 8,101 yards and 74 touchdowns. That adds up to a lot of points and the Broncos are fully expecting that production to extend into Nix and Franklin’s NFL future.

Simply put, it took a lot of labor. At Oregon, there is a lot of player-led programming, according to Franklin. “There were several times when Bo Nix, myself, the tight ends, receivers, and the entire offensive team would just check that we were moving through obstacles. We’re basically running routes there while passing the ball. confirming that our connection was correct. Just trying to focus, ensuring that we’re both on the same page and completing the tasks at hand.

More information about the reasons behind the Broncos’ strong attraction to Nix. Beyond his output and metrics were the seductive intangible qualities that Paton and Payton found so appealing, such as leadership, football IQ, real-time processing, and football character.

Bringing it back to Franklin, Payton explained how he and the Broncos were so impressed by his ability to win off of the line of scrimmage and how quick he is in and out of his cuts. It’s great to hear from the head coach, but it’s even better when expectations are set from words originating from the horse’s mouth.

“I really think all parts of my game are pretty sharp,” Franklin said. “I think I can do everything.”

In an effort to make Franklin stronger and more durable, the Broncos’ strength and conditioning staff — led by Dan Dalrymple — will help fill out the young receiver’s somewhat slender NFL build. Luckily, Franklin has lots of space to develop there.

“Obviously, I know with my frame that I need to put a little bit more weight on and stuff like that,” said Franklin.

The Broncos will host their entire draft class and college free-agent crop for rookie minicamp early this month, marking the beginning of the next chapter in the Nix-to-Franklin relationship. Center Alex Forsyth, who was also a member of Oregon’s powerful offense in 2022 before the Broncos selected him in the seventh round of the draft, will reconnect with Nix and Franklin shortly after.