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Should I drop Troy Franklin for fantasy football Week 4? Is Troy Franklin a safe player to cut? Read the fantasy football waivers outlook.
Some players test your patience every week, and Troy Franklin looks like he's headed in that direction. One week, you feel like you hit on the waiver gem of the season; the next week, you're left disappointed with a two-catch, eight-yard day, wondering why you started him in your flex.
Franklin is showing up and clearly has a role in the Broncos offense, yet Courtland Sutton hogs the spotlight. Bo Nix hasn't exactly been getting it done with his passing attack outside of Sutton, and when quarterback play is shaky and out of rhythm, the rest of the receivers pay the price.
If you picked Franklin up off waivers last week, you're probably wondering if you made the wrong call or if you should just stay patient. Let's figure out what's going on with Franklin and how you should handle him moving forward.
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Should I Drop Troy Franklin in Fantasy Football?
Time to talk about the disappointing showing from Franklin in Week 3. He brought in just two of his four targets in Week 3, tallying eight yards. Meanwhile, Sutton registered six catches for 118 yards and a touchdown, clearly displaying Nix's trust. In that contest against the Chargers, the Broncos leaned on the run. Additionally, Nix missed several throws to his receivers.
The bad news for Troy Franklin: finished with 2 catches for 8 yards
The good news: Played most snaps, ran 2nd most routes. He is the clear WR2 for Bo Nix
— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) September 21, 2025
If you just picked up Franklin, the box score turned your stomach. But looking at snap counts, the 22-year-old actually played 41 snaps to Sutton's 42, showing the second-year player has a full-time role.
He has spike-week potential depending on game script, as exhibited by his eight receptions on nine targets for 89 yards and a touchdown in Week 2. For now, Franklin is worth holding as a flex option, with the possibility of growing his role. You can't drop him after the dud, not when he's tied to a young quarterback with whom he's displayed chemistry with before.
Who Should I Pick Up for Fantasy Football?
If you're sticking with Franklin but need help at wide receiver, there are several names to give your roster a boost without cutting him loose. Think of them as insurance policies you can lean on until Franklin's role expands.
Elic Ayomanor has quietly emerged in Tennessee, finding the end zone in back-to-back matchups. He seems to have more chemistry with rookie QB Cam Ward than Calvin Ridley does at the moment.
WE GOT 5 ON IT‼️ @Cameron7Ward to @elicayomanor for their first career TDs!
📺: #LARvsTEN on @NFLonCBS & NFL+ pic.twitter.com/eQANrmlUCo
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) September 14, 2025
The rookie is registering at least five targets per game, and while the Titans' passing game isn't lighting it up, Ayomanor has been a constant. He makes for a viable flex option with the chance to bloom into a fantasy WR3 as the season progresses.
Tre Tucker is another WR in the mix after a monstrous 145-yard, three-touchdown display in Week 3. Don't chase the 40.9 fantasy points and expect a repeat performance, but Tucker has proved he'll have involvement in the Las Vegas offense going forward.
Tucker for the TD‼️#LVvsWAS | 📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/GDMXSAZjm5
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) September 21, 2025
He has racked up 211 yards and four scores this year, and the Raiders have shown they're willing to give him volume. If he's somehow still on waivers after they ran, he's one of the best upside picks you can make.
Another option, Seattle's Tory Horton, has been quietly producing this season. He has flashed both on offense and special teams, including a huge punt return touchdown in Week 3.
Seattle WR Tory Horton with a 95-yard punt return — the longest punt return in Seahawks history. pic.twitter.com/4IxRYo9Xm2
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 21, 2025
Horton's role could expand as the Seahawks have been looking for pass-game playmakers outside of Jaxon Smith-Njigba. He's not in the startable category yet, but he's the type of wideout you pick up now before your league-mates catch on.
If those players aren't available, other names like Parker Washington, Sterling Shepard, Darnell Mooney, Jalen Tolbert, and KaVontae Turpin can be plug-and-play players depending on league depth. Yes, there are intriguing pieces out there, but don't sacrifice Franklin for them this week.
Who Should I Pickup Tool
Trying to decide who to pickup off the waiver wire? Check the Who Should I Pickup tool here:
Compare up to four players and we'll tell you who to pickup...
Who Should I Pickup? Need a replacement? Some common 2025 fantasy football waiver wire decisions are regarding players like Darnell Mooney, Elic Ayomanor, Romeo Doubs, Wan'Dale Robinson, Tre Tucker, Luther Burden III, Cedric Tillman. But not to worry, we are here to help make these waiver wire decisions and build winning teams in 2025. Set your optimal fantasy football lineups in 2025. Our free Who Should I Pickup? tool will help make your fantasy football waiver wire decisions. Compare up to four NFL players, and we tell you who to pick up... all free! Make the right decisions.
2025 Player Decisions. Today's focus is on players like Darnell Mooney, Elic Ayomanor, Romeo Doubs, Wan'Dale Robinson, Tre Tucker, Luther Burden III, Cedric Tillman. They are some of the most common searches for 2025 fantasy football waiver wire pickups.
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Popular Player Comparison Searches - Who To Pickup
Need a replacement? Below are some popular searches and comparisons from our Who To Pickup tool for 2025 for Darnell Mooney, Elic Ayomanor, Romeo Doubs, Wan'Dale Robinson, Tre Tucker, Luther Burden III, Cedric Tillman:
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