Round 4 Pick 102, WR Troy Franklin, Oregon

[Draft Crazy]

Sorry, I feel like a broken record talking about our WR's since about June last year. Everyone understands my point. Shut up, Draft Crazy! We get it.

 

[cdumler7]

Sorry, I feel like a broken record talking about our WR's since about June last year. Everyone understands my point. Shut up, Draft Crazy! We get it.

I definitely think our WR core is better than people thought this time last year when looking at it. Franklin proved he is at least a decent #2 and has some upside to be even more. Mims is one I'm hoping with the switch to Davis Webb he can figure out how better to use such a talent. Bryant if he can stay healthy is a very quality depth piece for the WR core. Yes the group can be upgraded on. Sutton isn't a top tier WR1, but you could argue he is in the area of the 15-20th best WR in the league. We've had worse as a #1 before.

And as you said our guys were actually getting open. First half of the season I would say Nix was a bigger problem than the WR's when it came to the passing game not working. He was missing wide open receivers and his accuracy was terrible. He got better as the season progressed, but if Nix was accurate to start the season you could argue Mims would have had another 300 or so yards receiving this past season.

 

[Draft Crazy]

I definitely think our WR core is better than people thought this time last year when looking at it. Franklin proved he is at least a decent #2 and has some upside to be even more. Mims is one I'm hoping with the switch to Davis Webb he can figure out how better to use such a talent. Bryant if he can stay healthy is a very quality depth piece for the WR core. Yes the group can be upgraded on. Sutton isn't a top tier WR1, but you could argue he is in the area of the 15-20th best WR in the league. We've had worse as a #1 before.

And as you said our guys were actually getting open. First half of the season I would say Nix was a bigger problem than the WR's when it came to the passing game not working. He was missing wide open receivers and his accuracy was terrible. He got better as the season progressed, but if Nix was accurate to start the season you could argue Mims would have had another 300 or so yards receiving this past season.

Great post @cdumler7 . 100% agree with all of this.

I am hoping we extend Mims before the season and I am hoping Davis Webb (like you said) is the key to using Mims better. Get him extended before Webb finds out how to use him.

It seems like Payton has started to find better ways to use Mims at the end of the past two seasons but I was oping the end of Year 2 would carry over to the start of year 3 with his usage. The concussion vs Dallas and missing 2 games after seemed like it deflected things a bit it seemed like we were just starting to amp him up to more of how we used him at the end of year 2... Then after the concussion it felt like it went back to the old way of getting Mims involved... Then finally in the playoffs it seemed like we brought the rabbit out of the hat again. We just need to use him right for a full NFL season. I am nervous that Mims is gonna say screw you guys I am going somewhere where they know how to use me if we don't offer him a decent deal to stay around before the season starts... I know Denver wants to extend him.

 

[cdumler7]

Great post @cdumler7 . 100% agree with all of this.

I am hoping we extend Mims before the season and I am hoping Davis Webb (like you said) is the key to using Mims better. Get him extended before Webb finds out how to use him.

It seems like Payton has started to find better ways to use Mims at the end of the past two seasons but I was oping the end of Year 2 would carry over to the start of year 3 with his usage. The concussion vs Dallas and missing 2 games after seemed like it deflected things a bit it seemed like we were just starting to amp him up to more of how we used him at the end of year 2... Then after the concussion it felt like it went back to the old way of getting Mims involved... Then finally in the playoffs it seemed like we brought the rabbit out of the hat again. We just need to use him right for a full NFL season. I am nervous that Mims is gonna say screw you guys I am going somewhere where they know how to use me if we don't offer him a decent deal to stay around before the season starts... I know Denver wants to extend him.

Yeah I do know the Broncos want to keep him. They think his best days in the league are ahead of him and that he can become a bigger part of this offense. I wouldn't mind if they drafted a returner in this draft to take some of that pressure off Mims. Use him if you have to, but really have him focus on the offensive side of the ball because he is such a weapon in the league.

 

[Draft Crazy]

Yeah I do know the Broncos want to keep him. They think his best days in the league are ahead of him and that he can become a bigger part of this offense. I wouldn't mind if they drafted a returner in this draft to take some of that pressure off Mims. Use him if you have to, but really have him focus on the offensive side of the ball because he is such a weapon in the league.

I had the same thought. As good of a returner as Mims is it might be getting time where we take the duties away from him and focus more on his WR role.

Soooo, since you won POTM.... Get me Mims extended.. Thanks buddy!

 

[cdumler7]

I had the same thought. As good of a returner as Mims is it might be getting time where we take the duties away from him and focus more on his WR role.

Soooo, since you won POTM.... Get me Mims extended.. Thanks buddy!

I've got to make up for missing out on Etienne some way. This is the way.

 

[Draft Crazy]

I've got to make up for missing out on Etienne some way. This is the way.

That's what I was thinking.

 

[Draft Crazy]

@cdumler7 Since we are on the topic of Troy Franklin. Curious what Bronco draft picks in your lifetime were maybe personal favorite player you really like and never expected Denver to draft?

For me Mims and Franklin. I didn't think we were going to take a WR when we took Mims. Having no picks the first two rounds (trading into rd 2 for Mims) being my fav player in the draft, never expecting him to end up in Denver. I kept thinking for some reason he was going to end up in Cleveland (I just always have a best guess for players I always like) no real reason but I was thinking Browns or Eagles. When I saw Mims name flash I lost my stuff. My brother was sitting next to me and I couldn't get the words out. I couldn't even text people I was excited. lol

Franklin, I thought would go earlier when he did and didn't really see us going WR in the zone range I had him in. When we moved up in the 4th and his name flashed up on the screen it was in complete excitement. He was my 2nd personal favorite player in that draft (Not saying he was the 2nd best player we just all have those guys we really like in college). When we moved up I said to my brother, "I wish they were moving up for Troy Franklin", having a little bit of hope since it was rd 4 and not rd 2 now.

Perrish Cox was another. Big fan of his, chatted with him a lot and never an inkling he would end up in Denver. Sadly, it didn't work out but it was still a great moment for me. Sad ending though.


Then there was Nick Eason. The very first player I ever talked to. He will always hold a special place in my heart. Got to meet him in Canton with Springer before the Redskins/Broncos game. Champ vs Portis game. I thought there was no way the only player in the draft I knew from a personal standpoint would end up on my favorite NFL team and it happened. Too bad it didn't last long but he did carve out a long NFL career. (Now bouncing around the coaching ranks)

Then there were other players I chatted with but knew it was possible because they had met with Denver (Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker)


Michael Ojemudia was cool too. I wasn't exactly "real" high on him as a 3rd rd pick but knew him well. He use to give me tickets to Iowa games.

I think Mims was the most surprising/unexpected moment for me though out of all of these. Some less shocking then others but just fun memories.


Ahhhh nothing meets a good draft memory.


To lesser extend you will remember how much I wanted Devontae Booker and Max Garcia and got them..

I wanted Patrick Surtain bad but that seemed high probability come draft time.

I guess I am looking for more of the Mims/Franklin/Cox/ Eason totally unexpected moments.

 

[cdumler7]

@cdumler7 Since we are on the topic of Troy Franklin. Curious what Bronco draft picks in your lifetime were maybe personal favorite player you really like and never expected Denver to draft?

For me Mims and Franklin. I didn't think we were going to take a WR when we took Mims. Having no picks the first two rounds (trading into rd 2 for Mims) being my fav player in the draft, never expecting him to end up in Denver. I kept thinking for some reason he was going to end up in Cleveland (I just always have a best guess for players I always like) no real reason but I was thinking Browns or Eagles. When I saw Mims name flash I lost my stuff. My brother was sitting next to me and I couldn't get the words out. I couldn't even text people I was excited. lol

Franklin, I thought would go earlier when he did and didn't really see us going WR in the zone range I had him in. When we moved up in the 4th and his name flashed up on the screen it was in complete excitement. He was my 2nd personal favorite player in that draft (Not saying he was the 2nd best player we just all have those guys we really like in college). When we moved up I said to my brother, "I wish they were moving up for Troy Franklin", having a little bit of hope since it was rd 4 and not rd 2 now.

Perrish Cox was another. Big fan of his, chatted with him a lot and never an inkling he would end up in Denver. Sadly, it didn't work out but it was still a great moment for me. Sad ending though.


Then there was Nick Eason. The very first player I ever talked to. He will always hold a special place in my heart. Got to meet him in Canton with Springer before the Redskins/Broncos game. Champ vs Portis game. I thought there was no way the only player in the draft I knew from a personal standpoint would end up on my favorite NFL team and it happened. Too bad it didn't last long but he did carve out a long NFL career. (Now bouncing around the coaching ranks)

Then there were other players I chatted with but knew it was possible because they had met with Denver (Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker)


Michael Ojemudia was cool too. I wasn't exactly "real" high on him as a 3rd rd pick but knew him well. He use to give me tickets to Iowa games.

I think Mims was the most surprising/unexpected moment for me though out of all of these. Some less shocking then others but just fun memories.


Ahhhh nothing meets a good draft memory.


To lesser extend you will remember how much I wanted Devontae Booker and Max Garcia and got them..

I wanted Patrick Surtain bad but that seemed high probability come draft time.

I guess I am looking for more of the Mims/Franklin/Cox/ Eason totally unexpected moments.

Mims would be up there for me. If you go back and listen to Nick and my show about a month before the draft he was asking me about WR's since that is my favorite position (played it in high school). I remember that being a down year for WR's. I really didn't like anyone a whole lot except for Marvin Mims. Spent part of a show talking about all the things I loved about his game and how he would be such a great player for the Broncos. So yes when we took him Nick and I were talking about how much I hyped him up a month earlier.

I was a huge Carlos Henderson fan before we drafted him. That one didn't work out too well, but when we drafted him oh boy was I pumped. Andy Janovich was up there for me. Had a lot of people say that if he had a beard he and I would be twins. Really loved Justin Simmons and thought we got a steal with him in the 3rd round. DaeSean Hamilton was a guy I liked. I wonder when he was on that rookie contract if we had any stability at QB what he could have been. I don't think he would have been a star, but I think he could have been a consistent contributor.

I liked Dalton Risner, but that is more because I got the chance to talk to him before the draft. He was a nice kid. Ran into some beef with him though later on when his now wife was dating a guy from my town and cheated on him with Risner. Then Risner called threatening to beat the guy up if he went public with it. So loved him when we drafted, but within a few months wished we hadn't.

Of recent drafts I was a big Bo Nix fan. Almost all the other guys I work with hated him so it was a tough few months having to hide some of my excitement at the idea of us drafting him. Also loved the Jonah Ellis pick. He relied heavily on one move in college, but figured technique can be taught. The guy had some nice quick moves to get into the backfield.

 

[Mountain Bronco]

Never knew that about Risner.

 

[58crash]

Skinner .. I seen him win a lot of games for Boise.... a lot of huge plays for them .. I am still hoping for him to do that for us . at least he is playing some .

 

[cdumler7]

Never knew that about Risner.

Not usually public knowledge. I just knew the family well. The guy she was dating I did his father's funeral and she was there. Didn't know until later that her and Risner were already talking. So yeah not exactly the best look. I hope they've learned from it. People can change for sure, but in that moment and then Risner's reaction just didn't sit well with me. Own it and move forward.

 

[Draft Crazy]

@cdumler7 I remember you loving Carlos Henderson. Forgot about that but remember it. Talk about a weird story with his NFL career. I remember you loving Paxton Lynch too. I felt happy for you with that pick but as you remember, I wasn't a fan.

The Mims, Franklin and Cox moments were just special to me. Players I loved their entire college career, not every thinking they would be Broncos. Not first rd picks. Just happened and totally unexpected. I will never forget those moments. . I think I couldn't get words out of my mouth like a kid who gets his red rider BB gun on Christmas morning.

 

[Draft Crazy]

Skinner .. I seen him win a lot of games for Boise.... a lot of huge plays for them .. I am still hoping for him to do that for us . at least he is playing some .

I liked Skinner. Fell due to injury. Was hoping he would be more of a S option for us but he has improved on ST's.

 

[Draft Crazy]

Not the same as the others I mentioned above but I remember when I was a kid getting really excited when I saw Oklahoma DB Darrius Johnson and Nebraska DB Tony Veland pop up on the CURRENT SELECTION Denver Broncos list.

DB whore so you will understand I am sure.

I wasn't like in love with the two back then but I remember just getting super excited when the Broncos drafted DB's that I watched play college football back during those days.

Johnson was pretty solid. Won two Super Bowl with us and then got into legal trouble (RIP)
Veland won a SB with us, didn't stay on the roster long but did cause the fumble on the KR in Super Bowl 32 that Tim McKyer picked up.

Johnson had an INT against the Falcons in the Super Bowl.

 

[MileHigh64]

I hated that the Broncos were the #2 pick in the draft due to their crappy season, but drafting Von Miller helped ease the pain. On a negative note, I bought into the hype over Paxton Lynch and was excited. Boy was I wrong and disappointed.

 

[Duffman]

I hated that the Broncos were the #2 pick in the draft due to their crappy season, but drafting Von Miller helped ease the pain. On a negative note, I bought into the hype over Paxton Lynch and was excited. Boy was I wrong and disappointed.

The Paxton Lynch things was it was acknowledged when we drafted him that he was gonna take a few years to develop and then we pretty much threw him in as soon as possible and was shocked when he struggled.

Like gee I wonder why the guy you drafted that was gonna need a while to get ready wasn’t ready when you put him in way earlier than designed.

 

[Draft Crazy]

It turned out Paxton didn’t put the time or effort into becoming a good NFL QB. We didn’t start him from day 1, but he struggled from day 1 then when we had to throw him in there he was awful.

It was said by many inside the organization that he lacked the effort to get better. He’d rather be on the game console then his playbook.

 

[LGM]

Elway (as usual) fell in love with the measurables and ignored the people saying his head and/or heart wasn't in it. Traditional Elway qb reach.

 

[cdumler7]

@cdumler7 I remember you loving Carlos Henderson. Forgot about that but remember it. Talk about a weird story with his NFL career. I remember you loving Paxton Lynch too. I felt happy for you with that pick but as you remember, I wasn't a fan.

The Mims, Franklin and Cox moments were just special to me. Players I loved their entire college career, not every thinking they would be Broncos. Not first rd picks. Just happened and totally unexpected. I will never forget those moments. . I think I couldn't get words out of my mouth like a kid who gets his red rider BB gun on Christmas morning.

I had erased my love for Paxton Lynch from my memory. It is all coming back now. Yeah I did love him. Thought the physical tools would be something special. Unfortunately that was one of my biggest misses and set this team back 3 years waiting on him to develop into something.