With Free Agency off and running, the Kansas City Chiefs’ best bet for adding impact receivers will likely come via the NFL draft. Oregon wide receiver Troy Franklin has emerged as a possible target for Kansas City.
Adding a wide receiver is paramount to the evolution of the Kansas City Chiefs offense in 2024. They’ve added former Alabama Tight End Irv Smith, Jr. to the family in free agency. Thus, the 6’2, 176-pound receiver told teams at the NFL Combine that he met with the Chiefs.
Franklin logged 1383 receiving yards, 81 receptions, and 14 Touchdowns in 2023. Troy, unsurprisingly, told the media at the combine who his favorite NFL quarterback is. “Right now? Patrick Mahomes,” he stated.
Troy is tall and has good speed. He has enough burst speed to beat the press but lacks the strength to combat catches and fight for space underneath.
“I’m a longer-speed guy, so if I get the start right, I can run in the 4.3s,” Franklin told reporters. “But I’m definitely going to run in the 4.4s.” His 40 at the combine was 4.41, so he was right on the money.
Franklin has a talent for avoiding traffic and maintaining distance from pursuit after the catch. He should be productive with a high yards-per-catch average and the ability to open things up underneath for teammates.
Troy could be a complementary piece for an established WR1 or a productive vertical target. Franklin is a team player who doesn’t mind blocking for his teammates.
“If you don’t block, you’re not gonna get the ball,” Franklin said. “Getting in there, getting your nose dirty, all that good stuff is good. They like to see that. It helps your running backs score longer touchdowns. Your teammates love to see that stuff from skinny receivers.”
Franklin’s Strengths are a good release with quickness to elude press coverage, can hit corners with a wicked crossover to come open on quick slants, strong vertical push driving corners off intermediate breaks, acceleration past cornerbacks, great feel for maintaining distance from defenders in open space, talent after the catch and good for catch and run scores. He’s an explosive leaper with a loose upper body to twist and catch.
Tory’s weaknesses include below-average strength, which could cause him to struggle against physicality and contested catches, excessive gather steps rolling into intermediate breaks, sometimes inconsistent ball tracking, and some focus drops.
I last saw him projected to go at 37, so they might have to trade up to get him if they seek a tackle with the 32nd pick. I don’t see them trading down out of round one, but time will tell.
