Bo Nix's Old Oregon Connection Resurfaces at Broncos Camp in Eye-Catching Way

Although coming into his second year with the Broncos, Franklin has made play after play in training camp this offseason. The young receiver topped that off in Tuesday's practice with multiple touchdown catches and the play of the day with a diving 25-yard catch, according to DNVR Sports' Zac Stevens.

“Guys mature as they get more experience, and he’s certainly playing faster and making more plays,” offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said on Tuesday. “We’re real excited about him. He’s really stood out.”

Franklin's growth and maturity at the NFL level are the most pivotal developments in his game because he has the luxury of an already-developed connection with his quarterback. The Ducks' combination in college was lethal.

During Nix and Franklin's two years at Oregon together, Nix threw for over 8,000 yards and 74 touchdowns, and Franklin caught 2,274 yards and 23 touchdowns. In their senior year, Franklin reeled in 1,383 of Nix's passing yards and 14 of his 45 touchdowns.

In 2023, Franklin led the Pac-12 with his 14 receiving touchdowns, and Nix led the Pac-12 in quarterback rating and yards per attempt. The Ducks' quarterback also led the country in completion percentage and touchdowns.

The Broncos' drafted their quarterback of the future in the first round, and doubled up with his star receiver in the fourth round. Denver has their No. 1 guy for Nix with receiver Courtland Sutton coming off his second-career 1,000 yard season, and they added tight end Evan Engram in the offseason, but Franklin is competing in a deep receiver room for the second and third receiving options behind Sutton.

With receivers Marvin Mims, Devaughn Vele, and rookie Pat Bryant all competing alongside Franklin, the room has a lot of speed and versatility. However, head coach Sean Payton said Franklin's speed is different.

“He’s having a good camp... Man, his speed," Payton said. "You see his speed and run away.”

With a strong start to camp, Franklin is positioning himself well as the Broncos approach their first preseason game on Saturday. The young receiver added some weight this offseason and worked on precision in his route running, and now he's more confident than ever.

‘I think it’s a 10 right now,’’ Franklin said (h/t KUSA-TV Denver). “Maybe 9 ½, 10, somewhere around there but it’s definitely way higher than last year for sure.”