Fourth-round RB Johnathan Franklin reportedly hasn't shown any "wow" factor yet.

Rookie RB Johnathan Franklin managed 14 yards on six carries and caught two passes for 12 yards in the Packers' preseason opener Friday night. Green Bay's offensive line remains a work in progress -- James Starks and Alex Green also had little room -- but this backfield could really use an injection of Eddie Lacy. Franklin has showed solid versatility through training camp and the preseason opener, but he's not likely the answer as a feature back.

Aaron Rodgers says Johnathan Franklin has "a slight edge" on fellow rookie Eddie Lacy in the passing-game department. The backfield is beginning to take shape, with Lacy as the early-down and red-zone bruiser, and Franklin as the pass-game specialist and change of pace. "I think Jonathan from the mental side has a slight edge right now, just because he understands [passing game] progressions well and he's done a little bit more of that at UCLA," said Rodgers. "But Eddie obviously has the physical stature and downhill running style that [coach] Mike [McCarthy] has always appreciated."

Rookie RB Johnathan Franklin managed 17 yards on seven carries (2.43 YPC) in the Packers' pre-preseason intrasquad scrimmage. Meanwhile, fellow rookie Eddie Lacy pounded Green Bay's first-team defense for 65 yards on eight runs (8.13 YPC), playing a team-high 17 snaps. Franklin was the Packers' No. 3 back through the rotation, behind Lacy and James Starks. Franklin is primarily competing for passing-down and chance-of-pace work. He's not a serious candidate to enter the season starting games over Lacy.

ESPN.com reports Packers rookie RB Johnathan Franklin "appeared overmatched" in a Tuesday pass-protection drill. "I felt like the outside linebackers clearly got the best of the running backs today," coach Mike McCarthy said. That won't cut it for a player who will have to make his name on third down as a rookie. It won't be a real concern until we see how Franklin fares in the preseason, but it's something to keep an eye on. David Wilson and Ronnie Hillman were rookie backs who struggled in pass pro last season.

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel's Bob McGinn projects rookie Johnathan Franklin to play 40 percent of the Packers' 2013 offensive snaps. Eddie Lacy should hover around 50 percent, assuming he stays healthy. McGinn believes Franklin is in direct competition with John Kuhn -- not Lacy -- to be Green Bay's passing-down and third-down back. McGinn also suggested Franklin could earn "spot" carries, probably as Lacy's change-of-pace complement.

According to the Green Bay Press-Gazette, it was "hard not to notice" rookie RB Johnathan Franklin in the Packers' first padded practice.

Packers fourth-round RB Johnathan Franklin has been getting some looks as a kick and punt returner. "Frankly, I thought Franklin handled the ball on the punt and the kickoff," coach Mike McCarthy said. "I was excited about that, too, so he seems very natural." The Packers are looking for someone to step up at returner so that Randall Cobb can focus on being a receiver. Franklin never returned kicks at UCLA, but his agility, quick feet, and ability to make defenders miss make him a good candidate.

Updating a previous item, rookie RB Johnathan Franklin is indeed eligible for all pre-training camp activities because he's already graduated from UCLA. NFL.com previously reported Franklin would be ineligible because of UCLA's late graduation. But he's already got his degree in political science, graduating last June. "I think it was just a miscommunication," he said of the report. Franklin will compete with DuJuan Harris and Alex Green behind Eddie Lacy. The Packers are likely to move on from James Starks, either via trade or release.

Packers agreed to terms with fourth-round RB Johnathan Franklin on a four-year contract. Franklin is being hyped in some fantasy circles as a threat to Eddie Lacy. We're not even sure he'll beat out DuJuan Harris and Alex Green. While Franklin's 2012 UCLA game tape was rock solid, he fell to the fourth round because most teams didn't view Franklin as a legitimate every-down NFL back. Franklin remains talented enough to make an impact as a rookie and will be a fine Lacy handcuff.