Bubba Franks

Franks remains the Packers starting tight end, but his production has fallen in recent years. He was never a prolific receiver, but he was always a favorite target near the goal line. That isn’t the case anymore as Franks has just one touchdown in the last two seasons and was targeted seven times in the red zone last year. That won’t make up for 25 catches and 220 yards worth of production. Perhaps the loss of David Martin will help, but look for backup Donald Lee to replace Martin’s numbers.

Franks managed to retain value over recent years because he caught so many touchdown passes, but he tailed off last season because of back and neck injuries. The Pack had a three-headed TE monster with Franks, Donald Lee and David Martin each getting chances in the offense, but Franks is expected to be the starter if healthy. QB Brett Favre returns for another season after completing 42 more passes to his tight ends in 2005 than the previous season. The club drafted several wideouts, but it’s natural for Favre, who has worked well with Franks in recent years, to rely on a known commodity.

Franks, who doesn’t produce a lot of yards after the catch, has limited upside as he exceeded 50 yards in just one game last season. He does have a nose for the end zone, though, and is a perennial goal-line favorite of quarterback Brett Favre. Last season, Franks, who has scored 28 touchdowns in his five-year career, bounced back from a lackluster 2003, catching seven touchdown passes – a mark he reached in three of his last four seasons.

Franks suffered a decline in production last season as the result of a timeshare with Wesley Walls. Franks caught 24 fewer balls, gained 201 fewer yards and scored three fewer touchdowns. Walls, whose numbers (20 catches, 222 yards, 15.9 Y/G) were similar to the Franks’ lost production, will not be around this year, and, as a result, Franks could very well bounce back to his previous form (he had 16 TDs in 2001 and 2002). In the last three seasons, Green Bay is second overall with 26 TD passes (Kansas City has 29) to their tight ends. Franks’ value is all tied up in those touchdowns, as his yardage is a modest 21.4 Y/G (8.9 per catch) in his career.

Because Brett Favre likes to spread the ball around, Franks' receiving totals suffer. Franks had just two games of more than 50 yards receiving in 2002, but he was a favorite target near the end zone, catching 10 balls (6 TDs) inside the 20 to lead the team. Favre, who throws often in the red zone, has hooked up with Franks for 16 scores in the past two seasons. The Packers still need to replace Terry Glenn's 56 catches, so Franks may add to his catches and yards.