AI Scouting Predicted a Breakout NFL WR Before the Experts
AI vs. Traditional Scouting: Troy Franklin - The Case Study That Matters
When wide receiver Troy Franklin was selected by the Denver Broncos in the 4th round of the 2024 NFL Draft (Pick 102), few expected him to make an immediate impact. He wasn’t on top of any draft boards, and he didn’t generate much buzz from mainstream analysts.
But Draft Decoder saw it coming.
Before the NFL Draft.
Before he took his first snap in the NFL.
Our AI-powered scouting system ranked Troy Franklin as the 8th best WR in the 2024 class. Draft Decoder was projected to have a strong early-career, and long-term upside that most traditional rankings missed.
Fast forward to Week 2 of the NFL season, and Franklin has already racked up:
- 12 receptions on 15 targets
- 133 receiving yards
- 1 touchdown
- 16th-highest scoring WR in my fantasy league (Owned by just 2% of managers)
Not bad for a so-called sleeper.
What Draft Decoder Knew That Others Didn’t
Draft Decoder projected Franklin’s profile with AI deep-learning models trained on millions of data points from historical college-to-pro transitions. His size, speed, route diversity, production metrics, and positional archetype flagged him as someone poised to succeed, even if the crowd didn’t see it yet.
Here’s a snapshot from the system’s projection before the 2024 NFL Draft:
- Player - Troy Franklin
- Draft Decoder WR Rank - WR #8 (2024 Class)
- Projected Early-Career Stats - 45–55 REC, 650–800 YDS, 5–7 TDs
- Draft Decoder Career Grade - 4.0 / 5.0
Why This Matters for NFL Teams
If you work in scouting, roster construction, or player development, the implications are huge.
- Less guesswork. More certainty. Draft Decoder reveals who’s truly likely to succeed, not just who’s popular in mock drafts or hyped by analysts.
- Competitive advantage, backed by AI. Built using machine learning and regression analysis, this system continuously learns and updates, season after season.
- A smarter war room. If you’re trying to build a championship roster, Draft Decoder is your edge on draft day. Spot talent others miss and avoid expensive mistakes.
Why It Also Matters for Fans, Fantasy Players, and Sports Bettors
Not in an NFL front office? You don’t have to be.
If you play fantasy football, dabble in sports betting, or just want to be the smartest person in your group chat, Draft Decoder helps you see the game differently.
My personal highlights from Week 1:
- Picked Troy Franklin up from free agency before Week 1
- Went 15–1 in ESPN’s Pigskin Pick’em Week 1
- Hit a +1000 bet on rookie WR Emeka Egbuka scoring 2 TDs (Draft Decoder ranked him the #2 WR in the 2025 class)
This isn’t guesswork. It’s not a gut feeling.
It’s AI-powered scouting, and it's accurate.
The Future of Football is Predictive
Whether you're building a NFL roster or a fantasy lineup, Draft Decoder gives you something no big board can: Accuracy. Confidence. Results.
And this is just the beginning.
The Draft Decoder app will be available for download this holiday season, but if you want access before the public then sign up for early access.
Draft Decoder let's you draft smarter and bet smarter.
Be ahead of the curve, sign up for early access to Draft Decoder.
Or if you want to chat AI and sports, reach out to us at [email protected]