NBA Postseason Best Bets (5/3)
Alex Christenson
Last Updated: 12/22/2023
Troy Franklin is entering the draft coming off a record year at Oregon where he set the single-season receiving touchdown record with 14 — no surprise, as he led the Pac-12 in receiving touchdowns the last two seasons. In addition, his 1,383 receiving yards this year are also a single-season record for the Ducks.
Franklin is a slender 6-foot-3 and 187 pounds and looks fragile on the field, but he hasn’t missed any games in his three years in Eugene. This is in large part due to how hard it is to get a solid lick on him due to his speed and quickness that flash on tape. He can turn on the jets with the ball in his hands and take any play to the house. By no means is he the most elusive player after the catch, but he uses his speed and quickness to create missed tackles while using a defenders pursue angles to create an leverage advantage. When it comes to physicality, he is willing to lower his pads and get a tough few yards if needed, but this is not an often occurrence. This lack of physicality carries over to the run game where he leaves a lot to be desired in the blocking game.
As a route runner, Franklin needs some work, he has shown an ability to run some more complex routes but not with ease. He excels in routes that allow him to use his speed, leverage and fluidity to create separation (gos, drags, crossers, etc.). When asked to use an aggressive break he is a touch slow in and out of them, often requiring a few extra steps than most. His best “aggressive” routes are curls and comebacks where he uses his speed and acceleration to drive defenders off while working back to the ball. At the line of scrimmage, he has an impressive speed manipulation release that showcases his acceleration and speed which he leans on often. He also has some nice quick step releases that allow him to stack defenders with ease, but he could afford to add a few more moves to his toolbox in order to help him beat the better press defenders at the next level. He has a tremendous ability to track the ball in the air and adjust to it in any situation. At the catch point he has good hands paired with a larger catch radius as a result of his lengthy frame.
- Speed
- Ball tracking
- YAC ability
- Slow in and out of breaks
- Lacks physicality
- Coaches Pac-12 All-Conference second team (22)
- Associated Press All-Pac-12 second team (22)
- Phil Steele All-Pac-12 second team (22)
- Pro Football Focus All-Pac-12 third team (22)
- 40-yard dash: 4.41s
- 10-yard split: 1.61s
- Vertical: 39″
- Broad Jump: 10’4″
- Three-cone: 6.9s
- Shuttle: 4.31s
- Bench: TBD
- Z receiver
Troy Franklin can operate as a team’s top receiving weapon, but I think for him to hit his highest ceiling he will be best to be a Z-receiver to an already established top asset. I think his ability to stretch the field and run away from defenders will allow him to be a consistent fantasy producer even as a team’s secondary option. Working from the slot or motion will allow him to get more free releases, which will allow him to play to his strengths.
