Broncos' 4th-round draft pick from 2024 'doing well' this offseason
'We see him as a 'Z' [receiver]," Payton said of Franklin on February 25. "We move our guys around a bit, so it's not exclusively. I thought he had a good rookie year.
"He's sometimes in that same position where Mims is at, so we have two guys. We have certainly gotten faster because both of those guys can run. We saw that growth spurt with Marvin in Year 2, but I would say I was real pleased how he handled the totality of his rookie season. It can be difficult, and I see him in that role.'
Following those comments from Payton in February, Franklin impressed during the team's spring workouts. The 6-2, 180-pound speedster was praised by his coach last month.
'You haven't been able to see all the plays, but there have been a number of explosive plays," Payton said on June 5. "He can run, and I would say a strength of his is ball in hand after the catch. He can run after the catch. He's doing well.'
Franklin bulked up this offseason, but he still has the same speed and explosiveness that made him such a dynamic prospect coming out of college. After another full offseason of practice reps, the 22-year-old receiver could be poised for a big leap in Year 2.
'There's that [saying that] repetition is the mother of learning," Payton said on June 13. "You're seeing him play faster with a much greater awareness within each play. He's extremely explosive, and I think he's, I would say, five pounds heavier. A little thicker. He's had a good spring.'
After being picked by the Broncos in the fourth round of last year's draft out of Oregon, Franklin hauled in 28 receptions for 263 yards and two touchdowns in 16 games last fall. Payton seems confident that Franklin will build on those totals in his second season.
Related: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: NFL: Sean Payton pleased with Broncos WR Troy Franklin's offseason
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