1) Introduction: Coming into the season, Franklin was expected to handle some return duties and play second fiddle to starter Eddie Lacy. But after an unspectacular training camp, Franklin was buried on the depth chart behind Lacy, James Starks and an injured DuJuan Harris. Franklin’s opportunity would come, but overall, it was a quiet rookie season.
2) Profile:
Johnathan A. Franklin
- Age: 24
- Born: 10/23/1989 in Los Angeles, CA
- Height: 5’10”
- Weight: 205
- College: UCLA
- Rookie Year: 2013
- NFL Experience: 1 year
3) Expectations coming into the season: Although he was a fourth-round pick, Franklin was expected by some (including himself) to be selected in the second or third round. So from that standpoint, much of Packer Nation was excited about the eccentric rookie runner. However, training camp proved to be a quick drizzle on Franklin’s rookie parade.
4) Player’s highlights/low-lights: The highlight and low-light of Franklin’s season was Sep. 22 in Cincinnati. Filling in for an injured Lacy and a hobbled Starks — who left the game earlier — Franklin burst onto the scene with 126 total yards and his first career touchdown. “That’s the Franklin we thought we were getting,” Packers fans said. Then, on a crucial fourth down in crunch time, Franklin fumbled, which was recovered by the Bengals and returned for a touchdown. It was the best of times, then it was the worst of times.
5) Player’s contribution to the overall team success: Realistically, Franklin had very little impact on the Packers’ season. He was on multiple special teams units and had the big day against the Bengals, but that’s it.
6) Player’s contributions in the playoffs: Franklin finished the 2013-14 season on injured reserve and was inactive for the Packers’ wild card playoff game against the 49ers.
Season Report Card:
(C-) Level of expectations met during the season
(D-) Contributions to team’s overall success.
(N/A) Contributions to team during the playoffs
Overall Grade: D+
Note: It was a rough year for Franklin, but I still think he has something. After all, I had him ranked ahead of Lacy (as the No. 2 back behind Gio Bernard) prior to last year’s draft. And yes, I was dead wrong on that.
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Marques is a Journalism student, serving as the Sports Editor of UW-Green Bay\'s campus newspaper The Fourth Estate and a Packers writer at Jersey Al\'s AllGBP.com. Follow Marques on Twitter @MJEversoll.
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F!
Waste of a pick. Alex Green, ver 2.0.
I think he’s a little better than Alex Green. Franklin had those moments in the Cincinnati game. Alex Green never even got to that level. Then again, saying he’s better than Alex Green might be damning with faint praise.
Alex Green = 3rd round
Johnathan Franklin = 4th round
Alex Green never had a 100 yard game or a TD.
Your move, troll.
Seems like an all-to-familiar Packer rookie season. Lots of potential, play a little then end up on IR. The “D” might be a little harsh given that we didn’t see much of this 4th rounder. Next year will be his evaluation year and I am hoping for something to hold on to. It will be a crowded backfield with the return of DuJuan Harris so Franklin will need to show something or disappear.
Both of his campaigns ‘Mayoral and player’ will need a boost…hopefully he knows which to put more effort into.
I think the D is way too harsh. You can’t downgrade a player because someone else on the team gets an A and he never saw the field. Injured later in the year, but in his one meaningful game(Cincy), he played great, with the exception of his last carry (which was disastrous). — Wasted pick????? Please tell me that was bad attempt at trolling. GoPack!
Going into training camp and the season Franklin was expected to be a major contributor on returns and as a 3rd down RB who could make plays out of the backfield. He did neither… Franklin didn’t meet the expectations of anyone in anyway. He was entirely indecisive on returns and didn’t get in the game as a 3rd down RB cuz he couldn’t block, which was supposed to be an asset coming out of UCLA.
His one shining moment could have re-earned him an expanded role but he quite literally fumbled it away, not just w/ the fumble that lost the game vs Cincy but again the following week which got him benched for what turned out to be the rest of the year. He was still in on returns and could have earned some opportunities back w/ some good returns, but he figuratively fumbled that away too.
Overall, he had a POOR rookie season by any measure. An “F” grade would be appropriate.
I liked some of what he showed but he’s got a long way to go to prove he belongs in the NFL! He’s going to have to earn a roster spot this year it won’t be given based on his draft status again. And if he has a repeat of his rookie training camp he won’t have a job in GB.
You yahoo’s that rip a player who just entered the league añd then call him a bust dont know shit about how football works. Like the couch potato that says the defense needs to be more physical lol
Way too hard on this kid. That he fumbled a couple of times and got into MM’s doghouse was too bad, but the cincy fumble wasn’t all on Franklin. It was a dumb call to start with, and cincy blew up our o-line. He’s way better than green. Green had zero burst, and went down if he was touched by a feather. Franklin got caught behind the rookie of the yearq
Franklin had a failed rookie year. He showed beyond a doubt he couldn’t handle returns. He was thought to be a very good blocker as a 3rd down RB, he proved last year he couldn’t block any LB, so he couldn’t get on the field in a role perfect for him as a 3rd down RB. And he gave away the Cincy game!
Maybe he’ll turn those things around this year. I think he can but now he’s going to have to earn a roster spot and a repeat of last years training camp will get him a ticket out of town!
http://msn.foxsports.com/wisconsin/story/packers-annual-checkup-johnathan-franklin-021914
He couldn’t handle returns, you’re right. But then again, aside from Hyde, or cobb, who has for the past several years? Its a special talent, and finding a really good one is a big plus. That Franklin wasn’t that guy doesn’t mean he won’t be a good running back. Lots of rookies fail to make a big splash their first year because they don’t grasp the scheme, doesn’t mean he won’t be a good one. He’s certainly got the physical tools.
He could be a good RB, and he showed some potential vs Cincy. And he could learn to become a good RB and returner, but the grade isn’t what he might become, its based on what his rookie season was.
I don’t think Returning is a special talent, it just takes decisiveness and running hard w/ a little vision.
I’m holding out hope for Franklin. He at least flashed at Cincinnati and showed some ability running the ball. The fumbles are worrisome, but, overall he was a rookie. Let’s wait and see what he looks like with a year under his belt and reevaluate him in preseason 2014. The good news is Harris will be back If Franklin fails
Franklin will be a stud in this league in the future. May not be with the Packers, but he will prove himself someday. I for one hope it is with the Packers.
Franklin had fumbling issues. And he needs to be able to pass block better.
But I’m fairly excited about seeing Lacy & Franklin together. Perhaps even on the field at the same time. But at least as a Thunder and Lightning change of pace platoon.