Sean Payton Makes Promising Comments on Broncos' Bo Nix Target

The Broncos drafted Bo Nix 12th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft to potentially be their quarterback of the future. However, Denver wasn't done drafting Oregon talent in 2024. In the fourth round, the Broncos drafted Troy Franklin, Bo Nix's leading receiver at Oregon.

Although the numbers aren't quite as stellar, you could compare the Broncos' philosophy to the Bengals' mindset back in the 2020 and 2021 NFL Drafts.

While the Bengals did it in consecutive years rather than the same draft class, Cincinnati drafted their quarterback of the future first overall in 2020 and followed that up by drafting one of his top receivers fifth overall the following year.

Since the LSU duo has been in Cincinnati together, Chase has four straight 1,000-yard seasons, and Burrow has thrown for at least 4,000 yards in three of the last four seasons, with the one miss coming in a season cut short by injury.

Burrow has thrown for 127 touchdowns since Chase arrived, capped by a near 5,000-yard season in 2024 with 43 touchdown passes. Simultaneously, Chase has reeled in 46 touchdown passes, topped off by his 1,700-yard, 17-touchdown 2024 season.

Burrow and Chase have become one of, if not the best, quarterback-receiver duos in the NFL. While I'm not saying this is what to expect from the young Broncos duo, they did have a similar track record in college. And Sean Payton has been impressed by the second-year receiver in OTAs so far.

In his final year at Oregon, Nix threw for 4,508 yards and 45 touchdowns. Franklin was on the receiving end of 1,383 yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging over 100 yards per game.

In their final year at LSU together, Burrow threw for 5,671 yards and 60 touchdowns, while Chase reeled in 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Now, the Broncos have their bonafide No. 1 receiver in Courtland Sutton, and they just signed Evan Engram, but that doesn't mean there's not room for a big jump in Franklin's second year.

Payton had some complimentary words for Franklin at yesterday's final day of OTAs.

"You haven't been able to see all the plays, but there have been a number of explosive plays. He can run, and I would say a strength of his is ball in hand after the catch. You know, he can run after the catch," Payton said. "So, he's doing well."

Franklin's rookie season wasn't all too impressive as he reeled in 28 passes for 263 yards and two touchdowns. However, with a year of development and an offseason to train with his teammates and coaches, Franklin could be ready for his breakout in 2025.

Broncos 2023 second-round draft pick Marvin Mims had similar numbers in his rookie season before having a mini-breakout at the end of 2024.

Mims finished his rookie year with 22 receptions for 377 yards and a touchdown. But, in the final eight games of 2024, his second season in the league, he gathered 446 receiving yards and six touchdowns.

With his continuity and trust with Nix, Franklin's early signs in 2025 could mean a big year is ahead for the former Oregon Ducks duo.