Pat Bryant Overtakes Troy Franklin in Broncos’ Receiving Rotation?

Broncos News

Denver wide receiver Troy Franklin saw his playing time cut dramatically in the Broncos’ last two games as third-round selection Pat Bryant emerged as a legitimate threat for the No. 2 receiver role opposite Courtland Sutton.

Franklin played just 52 percent of offensive snaps in Week 13 against Washington, marking his lowest snap share of the season. The decline continued in Week 14 against Las Vegas, where Bryant outpaced Franklin in both routes run and snap count. Franklin finished the Washington game with two receptions for 21 yards on three targets after leading the team in targets, receptions, and touchdown catches entering the bye week.

Bryant ran 77 percent of routes in the Washington contest compared to Franklin’s 67 percent. The shift represented a significant change after Franklin had operated as Denver’s clear second option behind Sutton for most of the season. Bryant caught passes on seven of his targets against the Commanders while Franklin managed just three looks from quarterback Bo Nix.

The Broncos signed Sutton to a four-year extension in July after he caught 81 passes for 1,081 yards with eight touchdowns in 2024. Sutton has 56 receptions for 773 yards and five touchdowns through 13 games this season. He remains Denver’s primary outside target despite averaging 59.3 receiving yards per game.

Bryant was selected 74th overall in the 2025 draft out of Illinois, where he caught 54 passes for 984 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior. He caught just one pass in four of his first five games with Denver but has averaged 43.2 yards per game over his last six contests. Bryant led all Broncos receivers with five catches for 82 yards against Kansas City in Week 11.

Franklin has 51 receptions for 541 yards and five touchdowns through 13 games. He caught 28 passes for 263 yards and two touchdowns in 16 games as a fourth-round selection in 2024. Franklin reunited with Nix in Denver after the two played together at Oregon.

The receiving changes come as Denver prepares to host Green Bay on Sunday. The Broncos won their 10th and 11th games of the season with victories over Washington and Las Vegas in their last two contests. Denver beat the Commanders 27-26 in overtime before defeating the Raiders 24-17 on the road.

Franklin’s red zone usage has also declined. He led the team with 14 red zone targets but has zero red zone looks over his last three games. Bryant has two red zone targets during that span while Sutton has four. Franklin averaged 2.12 yards per route run from Weeks 7 through 12 before his recent downturn.

Coach Sean Payton has gradually increased Bryant’s involvement as the season progressed. Bryant played fewer than 35 percent of offensive snaps in each of Denver’s first four games but has exceeded 49 percent snap share in all but one contest since Week 5. His blocking ability in the run game has helped earn additional playing time alongside his receiving contributions.