Broncos new projected WR3 after Jaylen Waddle trade makes perfect sense for Bo Nix

Why Troy Franklin is perfect WR3 for Denver

While Franklin is a perfect WR3 for Denver's offense, who were the other options? Pat Bryant and Marvin Mims were the two other candidates, each being decent options worthy of a WR3 spot.

But, with Bryant's traits overlapping with Sutton, and Mims more of a gadget receiver and returner, Franklin is the best wide receiver the Broncos could start behind Sutton and Waddle.

Franklin went to Oregon with Nix, so there's a connection there already that alone would make him a good fit as the third receiver in this offense.

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But, statistically, he's the best option as well. In 2025, Franklin saw 104 targets, the second-most of any Denver receiving option. He caught 65 passes for 709 yards and six touchdowns.

Only Sutton, who caught 74 of 124 targets for 1,017 yards and seven touchdowns, was more productive than Franklin last year.

There's no question of who on the Broncos depth chart at wide receiver should be the WR3 this upcoming season. It should be Franklin, even with how good Bryant looked at the end of the season and how explosive Mims has been at times.

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