Rookie Duo ‘Making Noise’ During Broncos Training Camp Practice

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Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton.

How the Denver Broncos’ 2024 draft class is discussed going forward will largely depend on the development of quarterback Bo Nix.

Any time a team makes a significant investment in the game’s most important position — or passes one up, as in the case of former Broncos GM and Hall of Famer John Elway with Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen in 2018 — it has a lasting effect on an organization.

But the other members of this class also have something to say about it.

According to Nick Kosmider of The Athletic, two of them have been mostly “making noise” in training camp so far.

“Troy Franklin didn’t pretend he wasn’t exhausted,” Kosmider wrote on July 30. “During the Broncos’ rookie minicamp in early May, the freshman wide receiver said he was still getting used to Denver’s mile-high elevation.

“As the Broncos entered their second week of training camp on Monday with their first practice in protective gear, Franklin looked like a player starting to catch his breath.”

Franklin was selected in the fourth round (#102 overall) in the class.

Sean Payton Praises Troy Franklin’s Football IQ

GettyTroy Franklin #16 of the Denver Broncos.

The 6-foot-3 wideout was a college teammate of Nix’s. That could give him an edge in the position battle. Kosmider notes that the receiver group has few proven resources outside of veterans Courtland Sutton and 2024 free agent signing Josh Reynolds.

Kosmider reports that Franklin’s splash plays during practices on July 27 and 29 were consistent with the receiver getting open but getting knocked down on deep routes earlier in camp.

Payton noticed Franklin’s intelligence on the football field.

“You see speed, you see plays on the field,” Payton told reporters on July 24 about Franklin. “There are certain routes you see that are strong. I feel good about that player’s football IQ, and that’s encouraging.”

Franklin isn’t the only non-Nix reason for optimism in the class. Fifth-round pick Kris Abrams-Draine is also making his presence felt in the early going.

Rookie DB makes plays in Broncos training camp

GettyKris Abrams-Draine #31 of the Denver Broncos.

“The best individual effort on a defensive play came on the passing game, from rookie cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine. The fifth-round pick out of Missouri matched Sutton stride for stride down the sideline during the team’s final period of the day. He timed his leap perfectly to knock away Zach Wilson’s deep pass attempt near the goal line, nearly intercepting it as he fell to the ground,” Kosmider wrote.

“Abrams-Draine, who is competing for time in a cornerback group that also features other young players like Riley Moss, Damarri Mathis and others, has made some hot plays since the start of training camp last week.”

Mathis was a fourth-round pick by the Broncos in 2022, the year before Payton arrived. He has started 17 of 33 games played in his career.

According to Pro Football Reference, he allowed over 74% completions in coverage in 2023.

Moss was a third-round pick that Payton was instrumental in Denver trading up to acquire in the 2023 draft. Moss saw 23 snaps on defense while working his way back from a core muscle injury that required surgery.

The Broncos also added veteran Levi Wallace in free agency. But Abrams-Draine arriving soon could finally solve the problem of the need for a bookend to Pat Surtain II.

Josh Buckhalter covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has covered both leagues since 2016, including bylines on FanSided, Last Word on Sports, and Clocker Sports. He lives in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck More about Josh Buckhalter