He played college football at the University of Miami, and was selected by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2011 NFL draft.

At Atlantic Community High School, he was a teammate of Courtney Robinson, Jayron Hosley, and Preston Parker.

Franklin was selected with the 14th pick in the 2nd round, 46th overall, by the Denver Broncos in the 2011 NFL draft (previously traded by the Miami Dolphins in exchange for Brandon Marshall).

[12] Two days later, he announced his retirement, citing his health and the inability to see his family, who live in Denver, as the primary reasons.

On August 30, 2021 it was announced Franklin would move to a coaching assignment with the San Francisco 49ers and work closely with his father-in-law Bobby Turner.