Will

Franklin

The Raiders, Rams, Colts, and Eagles put in claims but the Lions had first dibs because of their 0-16 record. While a knee injury kept Franklin low on KC’s depth chart as a rookie, he has a rare combination of speed (4.37) and size (6'2/205). He should have a strong shot at a roster spot.

A fourth-round pick last year, Franklin joins a franchise where he has an opportunity to quickly climb the depth chart. If Javon Walker can’t get his knee healthy, Franklin could open the season as the fourth or fifth receiver.

Franklin’s sub-4.4 speed may buy him another chance, but he never climbed up an awful Raiders receiver depth chart. It’s a bad sign for his future.

Franklin, the club’s 2008 fourth-round pick, must have done something wrong in the offseason program because he was one of the Chiefs’ few young receivers with potential. The 23-year-old speedster caught seven passes in 13 games as a rookie. Franklin figures to be claimed off waivers soon.

Franklin was just claimed off waivers from the Chiefs a month ago. He was no longer in the Lions’ plans after the team signed Ronald Curry and drafted Penn State’s Derrick Williams in the third round. The Raiders, Rams, Colts, and Eagles put in claims for Franklin last month.

However, Franklin played behind Devard Darling and fell down coming out of a break, costing him a chance at a long gain. Franklin’s main competition for the third receiver job, Maurice Price, caught two passes for 33 yards and a touchdown. Likely fourth wideout Jeff Webb had two grabs for 29.

He probably won’t play at New England in Week 1, but could return for the Chiefs’ Week 2 game versus Oakland. This kills any chance Franklin had of passing Devard Darling to start. Maurice Price and Jeff Webb are candidates to fill in Kansas City’s third receiver in the meantime.

RB Jamaal Charles was also held out of practice Thursday with a nagging shoulder injury. He and Franklin could be limited up until Week 1.

Franklin could add some explosiveness to Kansas City’s attack off the bench in Week 2 against the Raiders. DeAngelo Hall did a great job in Week 1 of proving that he can be lit up by rookie wide receivers.

Franklin has clearly pulled ahead of Maurice Price and Jeff Webb. Devard Darling is still in Franklin’s way to start. Since the Chiefs’ offense is likely to be very bad, they could make numerous in-season lineup changes. Expect Franklin to see some starts this year.