Troy Franklin emerged as the Broncos‘ clear No. 2 wide receiver last season, separating himself with a breakthrough year. The 2024 fourth-round pick totaled 709 receiving yards, six touchdowns and three two-point conversions. But an interesting demotion looks likely for the ex-Bo Nix Oregon teammate. Franklin played in Denver’s final preseason game, joining All-Pro returner Marvin Mims, while Pat Bryant sat with regulars Courtland Sutton and Jaylen Waddle. Bryant’s strong training camp has him on track to be the Broncos’ No. 3 wideout, the Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel notes.
A 4.61-second 40-yard dash time keyed a fall into Round 3 for Bryant last year, but the Broncos gave him a 48% snap share (compared to Franklin’s 59%). After a 378-yard, one-touchdown season, Bryant left both Broncos playoff games due to injury. But the 6-foot-2 wideout has bounced back this summer.
Sean Payton generally avoids WR2 and WR3 labels, as his former Marques Colston– and Michael Thomas-reliant Saints WR cadres show, and younger cogs have mixed in behind Sutton since the 2024 Jerry Jeudy trade. But the Broncos saw Bryant show considerable promise in camp. His rookie deal runs through 2028. With he and Sutton similar receiver types, their overlap will be interesting moving forward should the Illinois-groomed youngster make good on his summer development.
Here is the latest from NFL receiving situations:
Speaking of updated AFC receiver hierarchies, Roman Wilson may have a chance to be a Steelers regular alongside D.K. Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. despite the team’s second-round Germie Bernard pick. Wilson stood out during training camp and has the ability, per SI.com’s Albert Breer, to play all three WR spots in Mike McCarthy‘s offense. Breer indicated Wilson would play ahead of Bernard if the season started today, though the Pat McAfee Show‘s Mark Kaboly said during a 93.7 The Fan interview (h/t SteelerNation.com) a 50-50 split between the two auxiliary receivers is more likely. Aaron Rodgers took issue with Wilson last season, with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Ray Fittipaldo noting the former third-rounder’s perceived lack of professionalism affected his rapport with the quarterback. The Steelers, who regularly rely on Day 2 WR investments, have seen Wilson catch just 12 passes for 166 yards over two seasons.
Another AFC receiver trying to prove he is not a Day 2 bust, Keon Coleman is on the shelf due to a sprained toe sustained in the Bills‘ preseason opener. This required a walking boot, according to NFL.com’s Cameron Wolfe. Coleman has not returned to work, though the former second-rounder has shed the boot. Joe Brady and Brandon Beane vouched for Coleman a few times this year, despite owner Terry Pegula‘s tough analysis of his standing, and Buffalo will hope he can mix in as a solid complementary piece around D.J. Moore and Khalil Shakir in Year 3.
The Saints‘ four-year, $124MM Chris Olave extension includes $52.65MM fully guaranteed. Overall, the Olave deal’s guarantees come out to just more than $90MM, but NewOrleans.football’s Nick Underhill notes (subscription required) the Saints have protections in place regarding a concussion or a “respiratory pulmonary embolism” as conditions that would void guarantees. ESPN.com’s Katherine Terrell confirms Olave not being able to play football because of one of these conditions could void the non-locked-in portion of the wideout’s guaranteed money. This process would involve Saints doctors consulting with a third-party physician, per Underhill, and it would seem like a last-ditch measure for the team given the investment in its current No. 1 target. Olave, however, did consider retirement in the past because of health issues. He has suffered four known concussions as a Saint and missed Week 18 and offseason work because of a blood clot issue in his lung.