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With the 125th pick in the 4th round, the Packers select Johnathan Franklin, RB UCLA

PLAYER DETAILS: 
Johnathan Franklin
RB
UCLA
5’10″/205lbs

CAREER NOTES: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).

COMBINE: 

4.49 40 yard dash, 18 bench, 31.5″ vertical, 115.0″ broad, 6.89 3 cone, 4.31 20 yard shuttle, 11.33 60 yard shuttle

SCOUTING REPORT:
 Read more... (470 words + 1 image, estimated 1:53 mins reading time)

• While Eddie Lacy doesn’t fit the mold of a Packers running back, Franklin definitely does.
• More of a one cut and go runner but shows some wiggle

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Alabama running back Eddie Lacy

With their second round pick (#61 overall) in the 2013 NFL draft, the Green Bay Packers selected Eddie Lacy, running back from Alabama

PLAYER DETAILS: 
Eddie Lacy
Running Back
Alabama
5’11″ 231 lbs

From CBSSports:

CAREER NOTES: 

Lacy redshirted in 2009 but quickly flashed star potential once given an opportunity. In his first collegiate game (San Jose State), Lacy rushed for 111 yards and two touchdowns on only 13 carries, and he ended the year in similar fashion against a talented Michigan State squad in the Capital One Bowl by rushing for 86 yards, including touchdown scampers of 62 and 12 yards.

He emerged as the top backup behind Richardson in 2011, finishing second on the team with 674 yards (averaging 7.1 per attempt!) and seven touchdowns. He also caught 11 passes for 139 yards.

With Richardson now the focal point of the Cleveland Browns’ offense, Lacy enjoyed a spectacular breakout junior season. Although overshadowed at times by true freshman TJ Yeldon, Lacy was strong down the stretch, with a career-high 181 rushing yards against Georgia in the SEC Championship Game followed by 140 rushing yards in the BCS title game, earning Offensive Player of the Game honors.

He finished the 2012 season with 1,322 rushing yards on 204 carries (6.5 average) and 17 touchdowns, earning First Team All-SEC honors.  Read more... (759 words + 3 images, estimated 3:02 mins reading time)

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Stony Brook RB Miguel Maysonet

Player Information:

Miguel Maysonet, Stony Brook University

5’10″, 205 pounds

Riverhead, NY

STATS

NFL Combine/Pro Day:

40 time: 4.60 (Pro day)

10 yard split: 1.58 (Pro day)

225-pound bench: 20 reps

3 Cone: 7.21

20 yard shuttle:  4.43

Vertical jump: 31 1/2″ (Pro day)

News and Notes:

Maysonet started his collegiate career at Hofstra in 2009 but had to transfer afterwards when the football program was cut. . .in his first season at Stony Brook, he rushed for 1,128 yards and 12 touchdowns on 176 carries. . . continued that momentum the following year, rushing for 1,633 yards and 15 touchdowns on 252 carries. . . Walter Payton Award (outstanding FCS player) runner-up. . . had 1,964 yards and 21 touchdowns on 267 carries in his senior year. . . returned kicks as well and had a return for a score during his senior season. . . was not able to fully participate in this year’s NFL Combine due to a hamstring injury. . . would become the first Puerto Rican-born NFL player if he is drafted and sticks on the roster.

What they’re saying about him:  Read more... (571 words + 3 images, estimated 2:17 mins reading time)

• ESPN.com: “Workhorse.  Runs with a chip on his shoulder. Would grade out extremely high in this area if not for recent fumbling issues.  Above average run instincts.  Usually senses crease before it opens. Shows the instincts to locate hole while going full speed, which is critical in transition to faster NFL game.  Very good lateral agility.  Will make one cut and go.  Can stick foot in ground and accelerate up the field.”

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Packers RB Cedric Benson could provide a boost to the Packers play action game.

In the Green Bay Packers’ 27-13 preseason victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday, Cedric Benson proved some of his worth to the offense. Though he didn’t see the field until the Packers’ second series, his influence on the defense was immediate, especially when it came to the play action fake.

In fact, the Packers went with a play action pass on the first three consecutive downs played by Benson. The first down resulted in an incompletion deep to Jordy Nelson, who probably should have drawn a defensive pass interference flag for getting knocked down when going for the ball. Greg Jennings hauled in the next two play action passes for 19- and 18-yard gains respectively.

Here is a video of the 18-yard completion to Jennings:

You’ll immediately notice that Bengals safety Reggie Nelson (#20) makes a nice fake at the line as if dropping into coverage before coming on a blitz. He even almost tips the pass intended for Jennings.

But go back again and this time keep your eyes on Bengals cornerback Leon Hall (#29), who is lined up across from Jennings in what appears to be a zone coverage. What the play action fake does here is draw him in to the center of the field, not only keeping Jennings wide open but also giving him room to run. (I particularly love how Jennings makes Hall completely whiff on the tackle.)  Read more... (809 words + 1 image, estimated 3:14 mins reading time)

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While we work to get you more information about the newest Green Bay Packer, running back Cedric Benson, please enjoy the following highlight reel from when he played with the Cincinnati Bengals. (WARNING: Explicit music used in video.)

Chad Toporski, a Wisconsin native and current Pittsburgh resident, is a writer for AllGreenBayPackers.com. You can follow Chad on twitter at @ChadToporski

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Florida RB/WR Chris Rainey

Green Bay Packers draft prospect profile: Florida RB/WR Chris Rainey

Player information:

• Chris Rainey, RB/WR, Florida
• 5-foot-8, 180 lbs.
• A world-class track athlete who can do far more on a football field than just run.

NFL Combine:

• 4.45 40-yard dash*
• 3.93 20-yard shuttle*
• 11.06 60-yard shuttle*
• 6.50 3-cone drill*
• 120″ broad jump
• 36.5″ vertical jump
• 16 bench press reps

* =Top performer

News & Notes:

Won two straight USA Today high school National Championships while at Lakeland (Fl.) High School…Played in four games his freshman season but received a medical hardship waiver after hurting his shoulder…Ran for 682 yards and four scores during his redshirt-freshman year, earning SEC All-Freshman honors…Finished his college career with 2,393 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, plus 66 catches for 764 yards and six more scores…Returned 25 punts and 18 kickoffs…Lost seven fumbles during his four years…Was charged with aggravated stalking in 2010 after sending his ex-girlfriend a threatening text message, later suspended by the school…Those charges were dropped when he completed a program of community service and anger management…Has experience playing running back, receiver and special teams…He’s been one of the nation’s most productive punt blockers over the last four years, as his six blocked punts set a SEC record…Struggles blocking out of the backfield but has a solid, compact frame…Most compare him to Percy Harvin, his former teammate at Florida and current Minnesota Viking…If used right at the next level, could have Darren Sproles like impact…Given his versatility and rare athleticism, the Packers could realistically afford to use a roster spot on him as another Swiss Army knife type player.  Read more... (672 words + 1 image, estimated 2:41 mins reading time)

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RB Chris Polk, Washington (Photo: SI.com)

Green Bay Packers draft prospect profile: Chris Polk, Washington

Player information:

• Chris Polk, RB, Washington
• 5-foot-11, 215 lbs.
• Tougher to bring down and overall more explosive, but Polk compares favorably to Packers’ RB Ryan Grant

NFL Combine:

• 4.57 40yd dash
• 4.21 20 yard shuttle
• 7.13 3-cone drill
• 111″ broad jump
• 31.5″ vertical jump
• N/A bench press reps

News & Notes: 

Stepped onto the campus at the University of Washington ready to contribute immediately. Polk started the Huskies’ first two games of his 2008 but injured his shoulder and was granted a medical redshirt. From there, Polk began his climb up UW’s career rushing ranks. Three-straight 1,000-yard seasons placed Polk No. 2 on the school’s all-time rushing leaderboard behind only Napoleon Kaufman. Was a Three-time All-Pac-12 selection and semi-finalist for the Doak Walker award in 2011. Increased his draft stock at UW’s Pro Day, trimming down to just 212 pounds and running the 40-yard dash in 4.45 seconds. Polk might now be a lock to be drafted within the top-60 picks, which could be out of the Packers’ range for a running back.

What they’re saying about him:  Read more... (579 words + 1 image, estimated 2:19 mins reading time)

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