Zero2Cool
12 years ago
Johnathan Franklin | Running Back | UCLA | 5'10" - 205 lbs.

 





STRENGTHS One cut type of runner, who has impressive foot quickness, and the ability to explode out of his cuts. Presses the line before cutting to the play side and displays good vision and patience to find open running lane. Sees penetrating defenders, cuts after the handoff to avoid them. Vision on the outside and downfield is also good, can weave through traffic and his loose hips and quick feet allow him to cut inside the defensive back into open space. Not contact-shy, will take the A-gap and churn inside if he sees an opening. Runs hard, behind his pads, and displays good balance.

WEAKNESSES Shows enough speed to get outside at times, though scouts won’t consider him in possession of an elite burst or a pure breakaway threat. Won’t overpower NFL defenders with the leaner build that lets them regularly trip him up on first contact. Ball security has been an issue for him (six fumbles in 2011), lacks great upper-body strength and the ball will come away from his side when trying to get the extra yard. Pass protection skills are not up to snuff; he’ll throw his body into an opponent at times, but his cut-block attempts often come up completely empty.

NFL COMPARISON Bernard Scott

BOTTOM LINE Franklin had his best statistical year by far as a senior, and managed to clean up his fumbling issues. His speed, shifty hips, and one-cut ability will make him at least a nice NFL change-of-pace back.
UserPostedImage
macbob
12 years ago

4.46 40 time


Latest News

03/17/2013 - 2013 UCLA Pro Day: UCLA's Johnathan Franklin has outstanding pro day...Representatives from 15 NFL teams gathered at the pro day held at UCLA on March 12, where 15 Bruins players (plus one former Bruin, Matt Ware) went through a workout held outdoors on FieldTurf. The drills were by UCLA's strength coach, and with the exception of the 40-yard dash the rest of the drills weren't run the same way as at the NFL Scouting Combine. Players who were at the combine only got weighed.
Johnathan Franklin, RB (196 pounds) - Franklin did a 30-inch vertical jump, and stood by the rest of his numbers from the combine. Franklin looked really outstanding in the position drills. He caught the ball well with no drops. He had just one double catch and one chest catch. - Gil Brandt, NFL.com

•More Johnathan Franklin News


Overview

Franklin was a little-known three-star recruit out of high school and redshirted in 2008 before becoming a four-year starter for the Bruins. He produced quality numbers as a freshman, sophomore and junior and needed a strong senior season in order to grab the attention of NFL scouts.

That's exactly what Franklin did, setting new school single-season records for rushing yards (1,734), all-purpose yards (2,062) and career records for rushing (4,403), all-purpose yards (4,920).


Franklin thrived in 2012 as part of UCLA's zone-read offense, routinely making something out of nothing with his fast, tough and energetic running style. Although he doesn't have the frame to get much bigger than 205 pounds, he has good muscle definition and has stayed durable over the years, leaving UCLA with 45 career starts.


Franklin loves to bounce runs outside with this vision and explosive lateral movements, reminding many of another former Bruin running back with a smaller stature, but very balanced attack (Maurice Jones-Drew).


Analysis

Franklin boasts NFL-caliber speed and the ability to make defenders miss in tight quarters. He attacks the line of scrimmage and can squirt through in a blink, consistently giving the Bruins a big-play option from the running game.

He's affectionately been nicknamed "Jetski" by some on the team due to his ability to leave defenders in his wake. The catchy nickname is fun, but I have concerns about how well he'll transition to the NFL. Franklin lacks the bulk of an NFL lead back so he'd likely have to make a roster as a third-down specialist.


The problem is he hasn't demonstrated the reliable hands out of the backfield (25 career catches for just 194 yards and one score) nor is he a stout blocker in pass protection -- two traits normally associated with the speedy change-of-pace options NFL teams are increasingly employing in this era of specialization.

Perhaps most alarming is that Franklin has struggled with ball security. He fumbled three times in a five game stretch last year and it has been a sporadic problem going back earlier in his career.

NFLDRAFTSCOUT.com wrote:

Zero2Cool
12 years ago
This is supposed to be a good story.

http://gnb.scout.com/2/1277922.html 
UserPostedImage
porky88
12 years ago
I knew the Packers liked him. He's just a great fit. He and Eddie Lacy are going to significantly upgrade this running attack. I can hardly wait until training camp to watch these two battle. His pass protection is off the charts, plus he operates well in space. I can’t stress enough how much I love this pick. I’m almost dumbfounded that he fell this far.
Zero2Cool
12 years ago

I knew the Packers liked him. He's just a great fit. He and Eddie Lacy are going to significantly upgrade this running attack. I can hardly wait until training camp to watch these two battle. His pass protection is off the charts, plus he operates well in space. I can’t stress enough how much I love this pick. I’m almost dumbfounded that he fell this far.

Originally Posted by: porky88 



In the mock drafts that I was doing, I had him when I traded back deep in round 2 and 3.
UserPostedImage
play2win
12 years ago
AWESOME!!! Not pissed anymore...
flep
12 years ago
Great pick.
Ted Thompson screwed over the Broncos there.

Had 10 picks to start the day. Gave a 5th round pick to the broncos for a late 4th round pick and after picking 3 players in the 4th still have 6 picks left. Way to Go TT!!!!!
Formed Merseyside Nighthawks. British Champions 1992. Packer fan for 32 years
UserPostedImage


I feel very wrong now!!!!!!!!!
nerdmann
12 years ago
WOW! Guess they're serious about bringing 8 to the box. LOL
“Winning is not a sometime thing, it is an all the time thing. You don't do things right once in a while…you do them right all the time.”
Pack93z
12 years ago
Excellent.. so when Lacy busts out.. we at least have a back to fall back upon. [grin1]

Maybe.. just maybe, MM and company are serious about establishing a running attack that can be counted on at different times within games.. add a bigger center and we might have something.
"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"
Mucky Tundra
12 years ago
Love this pick from a position standpoint. RB is no longer an afterthought for this team. OL questions aside, defenses are gonna have to do their homework on the backfield from now on.
“Nah. I like having the island. It’s pretty cool...not too many visitors”
UserPostedImage
"I’ve got it." -Aaron Rodgers
Fan Shout
Zero2Cool (57m) : 6 first rounders on Packers defense now
Zero2Cool (12h) : LB Isaiah Simmons. Signed. Called it!!! Oh yeah!
Martha Careful (12h) : ty bboystyle...fat fingers
bboystyle (13h) : Tom*
Martha Careful (20h) : RIP Packer Safety Tim Brown
beast (27-Apr) : Yeah, but also some of the wording suggestions Jax only pranked called the QB, not the others... and if he had an open spreadsheet & 3 calls
beast (27-Apr) : Thank goodness he's not leaving the Turtle in the Red Tide
Mucky Tundra (27-Apr) : Cowboys 1st round pick Tyler Booker will indeed be bringing his pet turtle to Dallas with him
Mucky Tundra (27-Apr) : that contained all prospects info and contact
Mucky Tundra (27-Apr) : beast, according the Falcons statement Jax came across it on an ipad. If I had to guess, probably an open spread sheet or something
Zero2Cool (27-Apr) : Simmons put up an emoji with cheese.
beast (27-Apr) : Not sure anyone is interested in Isaiah Simmons... Collin Oliver might of taken his potential slot
beast (27-Apr) : I'm going with Jax Ulbrich is not telling the whole truth... he accidentally came across it? Why would a defensive coordinator have a QB #?
Zero2Cool (27-Apr) : He's not that great, but final piece of the script.\
Zero2Cool (27-Apr) : If we add Isaiah Simmons, book your Super Bowl tickets
Mucky Tundra (27-Apr) : Colts 1st round TE Tyler Warren also got prank called, was that Jax Ulbrich as well?
Zero2Cool (27-Apr) : Jax Ulbrich, Jeff Ulbrich’s son, released an apology for his role in the Shedeur Sanders prank call.
Martha Careful (27-Apr) : apparently he did not participate in practice or play on the east west shrine game nor the NFL combine. The kid was a mediocre spoiled brat
Mucky Tundra (27-Apr) : Yeah that one that was a super wounded duck that Sanders supporters are highlighting to prove a point
Zero2Cool (27-Apr) : Shough is the guy who missed guys at combine isn't he?
beast (27-Apr) : It's not official until I'm dead! I have a chance still! (Not really)
Mucky Tundra (27-Apr) : I could feel my body decomposing in real time when I read that
Mucky Tundra (27-Apr) : @MIKEYSAINRISTIL Tyler Shough will officially be the last person drafted to the NFL born in the 1900’s
Mucky Tundra (26-Apr) : saw the tweet, he meant the city
Mucky Tundra (26-Apr) : Was that for the team or the city?
Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter · 3m Draft grade is in: Green Bay gets an A. The people, the city, the venue were all superb. NFL Draft’s next
Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : Matt LaFleur says Jaire Alexander is participating in #Packers offseason program, which has been conducted virtually during this first week
Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : ✅ ...
buckeyepackfan (26-Apr) : Check
Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : Matthew Golden cahanged 81 to 22??
TheKanataThrilla (26-Apr) : Sam Howell to Vikings...guess no Aaron
Martha Careful (26-Apr) : 1 round 7 min, with one extra minute if there is a trade. 2nd round 4 minutes, 3rd -3, 2 thereafter IMO
Martha Careful (26-Apr) : Agree
dfosterf (26-Apr) : Great idea imo
dfosterf (26-Apr) : 1st round to 7 minutes with one extension
dfosterf (26-Apr) : NFL comissioner wants to shorten the 2st
Mucky Tundra (26-Apr) : @jalenreagors They’re discussing if Sheduer can go back to college on NFL Network LMFAOOOOO
beast (26-Apr) : Great point Martha
beast (26-Apr) : Buddy Ryan used to say if a candy bar goes missing, there are two to blame, Rex and Rob 🤪 jk 😁
Martha Careful (26-Apr) : Bum Phillips used to say there are two ways to get better. Get better players or get players to play better. We have a new DL coach
Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : Yes. Look at the losses last year. They can win.
beast (26-Apr) : Can Packers win with their current DL?
bboystyle (26-Apr) : waiting for a pass rusher.
dfosterf (25-Apr) : 5 minutes between picks in the 3rd
dfosterf (25-Apr) : 3rd. Hate this phone
dfosterf (25-Apr) : 4rd
dfosterf (25-Apr) : 5 minutes in the 4
dfosterf (25-Apr) : 7 minutes between picks in the 2nd round
Martha Careful (25-Apr) : Sorry to bitch, but the headline writers in that section absolutely mislead, or don't know how to read. It is maddening
Martha Careful (25-Apr) : No thanks. Not a dependable guy to be in the right place and run the right route. Dumb as a box of rocks.
Please sign in to use Fan Shout
2024 Packers Schedule
Friday, Sep 6 @ 7:15 PM
Eagles
Sunday, Sep 15 @ 12:00 PM
COLTS
Sunday, Sep 22 @ 12:00 PM
Titans
Sunday, Sep 29 @ 12:00 PM
VIKINGS
Sunday, Oct 6 @ 3:25 PM
Rams
Sunday, Oct 13 @ 12:00 PM
CARDINALS
Sunday, Oct 20 @ 12:00 PM
TEXANS
Sunday, Oct 27 @ 12:00 PM
Jaguars
Sunday, Nov 3 @ 3:25 PM
LIONS
Sunday, Nov 17 @ 12:00 PM
Bears
Sunday, Nov 24 @ 3:25 PM
49ERS
Thursday, Nov 28 @ 7:20 PM
DOLPHINS
Thursday, Dec 5 @ 7:15 PM
Lions
Sunday, Dec 15 @ 7:20 PM
Seahawks
Monday, Dec 23 @ 7:15 PM
SAINTS
Sunday, Dec 29 @ 3:25 PM
Vikings
Sunday, Jan 5 @ 12:00 PM
BEARS
Recent Topics
58m / Green Bay Packers Talk / dfosterf

10h / Green Bay Packers Talk / wpr

17h / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

27-Apr / Packers Draft Threads / Mucky Tundra

27-Apr / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

27-Apr / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

27-Apr / Around The NFL / bboystyle

27-Apr / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

27-Apr / Packers Draft Threads / Mucky Tundra

27-Apr / Green Bay Packers Talk / Martha Careful

27-Apr / Packers Draft Threads / wpr

27-Apr / Packers Draft Threads / wpr

27-Apr / Packers Draft Threads / wpr

27-Apr / Packers Draft Threads / wpr

27-Apr / Packers Draft Threads / wpr

Headlines
Copyright © 2006 - 2025 PackersHome.com™. All Rights Reserved.