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Denver Broncos’ Troy Franklin Switches Back to Oregon Ducks Jersey Number

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Denver Broncos’ Troy Franklin Switches Back to Oregon Ducks Jersey Number


Former Oregon Ducks wide receiver Troy Franklin is bringing some college nostalgia to his second season in the NFL with the Denver Broncos.

Franklin announced on social media Thursday that he’s changing jersey numbers, going from No. 16 to the No. 11 he wore when he was with the Ducks. The Broncos selected him in fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, pairing him with fellow rookie and Oregon teammate, quarterback Bo Nix.

As a rookie, Nix led the Broncos to their first playoff appearance since winning the Super Bowl in 2015.

Franklin fought through some early-season struggles but ended up carving out a role depth role in the receiving room. He even caught a touchdown pass in Denver’s AFC Wild Card loss to the Buffalo Bills, which allowed him to finish 2024 with 30 catches for 317 yards and three touchdowns (including postseason).

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Troy Franklin

Nov 24, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin (16) warms up before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images / Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

MORE: 4-Star Tight End Recruit Brock Harris To Commit To Oregon Ducks Or Michigan Wolverines?

MORE: Oregon Ducks Spring Football Roster: New Additions Dierre Hill, Brandon Finney, Theran Johnson, Jadon Canady

MORE: 5-Star Recruit Jared Curtis ‘Torn’ As Commitment To Oregon Ducks, Georgia Bulldogs Looms

During his last season at Oregon, Franklin was the No. 1 receiver for Nix, who ended up being  Heisman finalist, in an elite Ducks passing offense. After finishing with a combined 1,100 receiving yards during his first two seasons, Franklin burst onto the scene in 2023, totaling 81 catches for a team-high 1,383 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns. He had eight 100-yard receiving games across 13 contests.

However, that chemsity with Nix didn’t translate easily during their rookie season together. Nix said in November he felt that he and Franklin were “overthinking it.”

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“I think with me and him right now, it’s just a level of overthinking it a little bit I think,” Nix said in November. “The pressure and the ambition of, ‘We’ve already done it. We have to do it again. It should be easy for us.’ That’s not the case. … I’m also not going to make excuses. We have to hit them when they’re open. We practice well. We do a good job of making sure we get the reps in practice, and I think it’s only a matter of time before the explosives and the big ones are being hit again.”

Troy Frankli

Dec 15, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Indianapolis Colts cornerback Samuel Womack III (33) breaks up a pass intended for Denver Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin (16) in the fourth quarter at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images / Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning had some strong words in support of Franklin after the receiver faced some criticisms following his selection in the NFL Draft.

“I heard so many things about the guy doesn’t love football,’’ Lanning said to the Denver Gazette. “I mean, the guy practices his tail off like football was what he was made for. That’s what he does. He’s an extremely intelligent player who is very smart and works hard to be really good. … The Broncos got a steal there. That’s a great pick for them. He’s going to run his routes hard every single rep regardless of whether the ball is thrown to him or away from him. He’s going to block. He’s got all the traits you want on the football field. He’s a great teammate.”

Franklin will now head into his second season looking to build on what he did in 2024. The Broncos will be expected to make a run back to the playoffs.



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Ranking the Broncos free agent needs on offense

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Ranking the Broncos free agent needs on offense


NFL Free Agency opens up on Wednesday, with the legal tampering period beginning on Monday. The top free agents usually all commit to a team during that period, so be ready to rock and roll to start next week.

I figured now would be a good time to do a little discussion around the Denver Broncos and where we think their top priorities should be on offense when free agency kicks off.

Broncos top FA needs on offense

Tim Lynch: For free agency, I’d say running back and tight end are the highest on my wish list.

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I’d say pay big for a top free agent running back and ensure you have a monster two-headed backfield next season. They need a superior run-blocking tight end and, if they move on from Evan Engram, a pass-catcher too.

Christopher Hart: I agree with Tim. Those are the biggest needs for the offense. Getting a top-notch running back and a tight end capable of playing inline to replace Adam Trautman is a must. The two players I advocated a few weeks ago were running back Travis Etienne and tight end Cade Otton. Both would be fantastic additions and help take Denver’s offense to the next level in 2026.

Scotty Payne: Playmaker is the top and biggest need. That includes a RB, TE, and/or WR in that order.

Need to improve the run game regardless, need some sort of production out of the TEs as well as improved blocking, and if they can get a true WR1, that would be great too.

Ross Allen: I think we’re all in agreement.

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Getting someone who can be the dominant running back and have RJ Harvey serve that glamorous “joker” role would be huge for this offense. And given that they also don’t have a legitimate playmaker at the receiving position hurts them. A TE or WR can fill that role.

Sadaraine: The #1 need for the Broncos on offense is a top-notch running back. I will be blown away if the Broncos don’t sign a top-tier free agent running back to upgrade the offense (and no, J.K. Dobbins wouldn’t be that guy…not with his injury history).

There’s a significant gap in need after that until we start talking about tight ends and receivers. I think we’re more likely to see more money spent on a tight end than a receiver, but this offense could use both to be sure.

Ian St. Clair: Not to beat a dead horse, but running back is the biggest need and priority for this team when free agency starts. Having a consistent and effective running game will make Nix and the offense exponentially better. It will make the team better. After running back, the Broncos need to figure out their tight end.

Adam Malnati: Give Bo a weapon. I don’t care which position. Yes, RB is a need. Yes, TE is a need (thanks a lot Evan Engram). Still, a weapon would be nice.

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Predictably, we’re all heavily keyed in on running back and tight end. That was a big part of our free agent profile coverage too and for good reason. There have been many rumors around Denver looking to target both positions next week and where there is smoke there is usually fire.

The question really becomes: go big or go affordable? With the championship window open, I’m leaning go big on premium play-maker positions this offseason.

Where do you stand on this discussion? Give us your top free agent needs on offense and how you hope the Broncos address them next week.



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Denver area events for March 5

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Denver area events for March 5


If you have an event taking place in the Denver area, email information to carlotta.olson@gazette.com at least two weeks in advance. All events are listed in the calendar on space availability. Thursday Camilla Vaitaitis Quartet — 6:30 p.m., Dazzle at Baur’s, 1080 14th St., Denver, go online for prices. Tickets: dazzledenver.com/#/events. Miguel — 7 p.m., Fillmore Auditorium, […]



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Report: Broncos expected to ‘make a splash’ at running back

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Report: Broncos expected to ‘make a splash’ at running back


The Denver Broncos are in the market for a running back.

Just two days after NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Denver wants to have the running back position addressed before the draft, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reported that the Broncos are “poised to make a splash” at running back during NFL free agency.

“Denver is the reason why the Jets used the franchise tag on Breece Hall rather than the transition tag, according to sources, making sure Denver wouldn’t get the opportunity to put together an offer the Jets would refuse to match,” Jones wrote for CBS Sports.

Jones said the Broncos would be an obvious potential landing spot for Kenneth Walker, and he noted that Travis Etienne could be a cheaper alternative. The Athletic’s Nick Kosmider also reported this week that Denver is expected to “closely examine” the RB market, and he name-dropped Walker, Etienne and Rico Dowdle.

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The Broncos also have an in-house free agent at RB in J.K. Dobbins, who has expressed his desire to remain in Denver. The Broncos can begin negotiating with pending free agents from other clubs on March 9, but no deals can become official until the new league year begins on March 11. In-house free agents can be re-signed at any time.

Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.



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