The scouting combine has the annual power to increase or decrease prospects’ stocks. Players have multiple opportunities to either win over teams or drive them in a different way through physical measurements, test times, on-field drills, and meetings.
Sadly, that wasn’t the case for certain prospects at the 2024 combine.
The New Orleans Saints attended the combine looking at many positions, much like any other team. Wide receiver is one of the positions that New Orleans most needs to fill.
The Saints are fortunate because there are plenty of wide receivers in the 2024 class. The combine made it apparent that the team shouldn’t be content with any receiver, though.
Oregon wide receiver Troy Franklin was viewed as one of the combine’s losers during the wide receivers’ workout. Despite his obvious talent, he’s a possibility that New Orleans might want to stay away from.
Saints ought to stay away from Troy Franklin following a lackluster combine performance
Franklin had a fantastic start to the day, clocking a 4.41 40-yard sprint. That being said, there was some worry regarding his 6-foot-2, 176-pound weight. Nevertheless, he could jump 10 feet 4 inches and 39 inches vertically. Franklin wrecked the combine’s testing section. The on-field drills raised the alarm.
Franklin was unable to match the other elite prospects in performance. At the combine, Franklin’s speed in a football setting didn’t match his 40, he had a few drops, and working in drills with other wide prospects made him appear to be a step behind.
This is not to argue that Troy Franklin lacks ability or that he won’t succeed in the NFL. During the previous season, he caught 81 receptions for 1,383 yards and 14 touchdowns, demonstrating his ability to play football at Oregon. But drops were an issue when he was in college, and the combine demonstrated this.
Therefore, even if Franklin has the potential to succeed at the next level, the receiver class is too good to pick him over some of the other players the Saints may choose. This is particularly true if New Orleans intends to select a receiver with the 14th overall pick.