As the NFL Draft approaches, the Buffalo Bills are intensifying their examination of a promising wide receiver prospect known for his exceptional explosiveness.
Troy Franklin, a wide receiver from Oregon, is scheduled to visit Buffalo on April 10 and 11 for discussions with team representatives. A video shared by Bills reporter Ryan Talbot reveals Franklin’s intentions to engage with the Bills during this two-day period. Talbot also notes that the Bills conducted a private workout with the Oregon wide receiver.
Following the trade that sent their primary wide receiver, Stefon Diggs, to the Houston Texans, many pundits speculate that the Bills will focus on selecting another receiver in the first round, with Franklin emerging as a popular choice.
Bills Linked to Oregon Wide Receiver in Mock Draft
Prior to his upcoming visit, certain analysts already regarded Franklin as a suitable addition to the Bills. Chris Trapasso, from CBS Sports, forecasted in a mock draft that the Bills would select him with the 28th overall pick, envisioning him as a substantial receiver capable of delivering impactful plays.
“Franklin is a tall speedster whose numbers increased in each of his three seasons at Oregon,” Trapasso wrote. “There’s some after-the-catch juice to his game too. Precisely what the Bills need offensively.”
Additional projections place Franklin as a late first-round selection. Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com, in a mock draft from January 19, envisioned the “ultra explosive” receiver landing at No. 30 overall, joining the Baltimore Ravens.
NFL.com’s draft analyst Lance Zierlein drew comparisons between Franklin’s attributes and those of New Orleans Saints receiver Chris Olave, highlighting his potential to thrive as a productive NFL wideout.
Zierlein elaborated, stating, “Franklin may not receive WR1 target volume, but he is expected to be productive, boasting a high yards-per-catch average and the capability to create openings underneath for his teammates.”
Bills Could Make More Dramatic Move in Draft
Before the Bills traded Diggs to the Texans and lost Davis in free agency, some foresee a more aggressive approach from the Bills to replenish their receiver corps.
Joe Buscaglia from The Athletic anticipates the Bills making a bold move in the draft by vaulting up to the No. 7 spot to secure LSU receiver Malik Nabers.
Buscaglia explained, “With one of the league’s top quarterbacks in Josh Allen, a still-talented roster, and expectations of playoff contention in 2024, providing him with a young receiver possessing elite potential on a rookie contract for the next four years offers the Bills significant flexibility in their spending strategy during the receiver’s rookie contract.”
Although Bills general manager Brandon Beane has demonstrated a willingness to trade up in the first round, as seen in moves for cornerback Kaiir Elam in 2022 and tight end Dalton Kincaid last year, the Bills haven’t chosen a receiver in the first round since 2014, when they traded up to select Sammy Watkins at No. 4 overall.
