Franks struggled with injuries and ineffectiveness in 2007. The Packers let him go, largely due to the improved play of Donald Lee. Now Franks is in the mix to become the starting tight end for the Jets in 2008.

However, don’t count on it. Franks will likely be used in a backup role and while he could be good for three or four touchdowns in 2008, it is unlikely that he will get enough catches or enough yards to be a fantasy football option.

The only way you should pick him in your 2008 fantasy football draft is if Franks is named the starter. Even then, he should be nothing more than a very late round pick who is backing up a quality tight end.

Favre to Franks …

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In his four years in the NFL, Gabriel has eight touchdowns. He’s known as a speed receiver who can beat most defenders up the field, however his lack of good hands has hurt him since being drafted in 2003 in the fifth round out of Central Florida.

In addition to the loss of Henry, the Bengals also lost Tab Perry to the Miami Dolphins. Cincinnati is banking on Gabriel, Antonio Chatman and Glenn Holt to provide depth at wide receiver.

To add even further uncertainty to the Bengals’ receiving corps, star wideout Chad Johnson has complained openly about not being traded away from Cincinnati. Johnson has even threatened a holdout if he doesn’t get moved. If the Bengals lose Johnson, suddenly TJ Houshmandzadeh is the only sure thing at wide receiver for Cincinnati.

Doug Gabriel’s projections for the 2008 NFL season depend largely on his role. If he secures the third wide receiver job, expect him to finish 2008 with about 600 yards and four touchdowns.

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Although Utecht will now have to leave Manning’s side, he’s stepping into a good situation in Cincinnati. The Bengals have a high-powered offense that can really move the ball through the air. These days, the Bengals are probably going to be even more pass oriented than the Colts.

The Bengals could really use Utecht to open the field for their wide receivers. Cincinnati obviously thinks Utecht is the man for the job, as they gave him a three-year, $9M contract. Expect the 6-foot-6 Utecht to be the starting tight end for the Bengals in 2008.

If he wins the job, Utecht should have a productive season. Right now, he’s a major sleeper, especially considering I have him projected for 700 yards and five touchdowns for this upcoming season.

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Ending his disappointing four year run as a member of the Tennessee Titans, Troupe signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Troupe, a 6-foot-4 former second round pick by the Titans, should fit nicely into what the Bucs are going to try to do in 2008.

Troupe will battle with incumbent Alex Smith for the starting tight end job. Smith has had a solid yet unspectacular career with the Buccaneers. Both are of similar build and athleticism, so it should be interesting to see who wins the competition for the starting gig.

Whoever is named the starter should be a primetime red zone target in 2008. The Bucs like to look at their tight ends near the endzone, which should allow the starting tight end to pull in between four and seven touchdowns. If that is Troupe, he could finally live up to his potential.

If Troupe doesn’t start, he should still get a couple touchdowns in 2008, however he wouldn’t be a draftable option without a starting job.

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Although Mare struggled in 2007 with the New Orleans Saints, Mare is expected to be the Seahawks’ kicker in 2008. Brown had a successful career with the Seahawks and Mare will have big shoes to fill.

Due to Mare’s struggles last season, he’d be a dangerous draft pick in 2008. If he doesn’t get back on track, he’d be a wasted pick. However, Mare will be joining a very field goal friendly offense in Seattle. If Mare can hit for a high percentage, he could easily be in the league leaders for field goals in 2008.

Keep a wait and see approach on Mare for now. The Seahawks will likely bring in some competition and Mare has to first officially win the job before you think about drafting him.

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With Javon Walker gone to the Oakland Raiders, Brandon Stokley and Colbert will battle for the number two wide receiving job next to Brandon Marshall. If Colbert is named the starter, he could be in line for a very solid 2008 fantasy season.

Colbert is an interesting case because he played very well as a rookie but hasn’t done much since. As a rookie in 2004, Colbert had more than 750 receiving yards and five touchdown catches. In his last three seasons, Colbert has done little of anything. In the last three seasons combined, Colbert has 670 yards receiving and two touchdown catches.

Although he has been forgotten in the past couple few seasons, the Broncos showed that they value his potential. For that reason alone, I’ll project Colbert to have 500 yards and three touchdowns. Those projections will rise if he is a opening day starter at wide receiver.

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While Carter never had a breakout year with the Panthers, he’ll go into the 2008 season with the possibility of being a starter. While Javon Walker and Ronald Curry have the inside track to secure starting jobs, both of those players are fragile and Carter could conceivably find himself in the starting lineup.

How Carter plays will depend largely on who the Raiders start at quarterback. If it turns out to be JaMarcus Russell, expect all the wide receivers to have a slow start to the season. Russell is talented but most quarterbacks take a while to figure out the professional game.

Given that Russell will likely start and Carter likely won’t, Carter won’t be a draftable player headed into the 2008 season. He projects to about 400 yards and three touchdowns in 2008.

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Jones, who played quite well last year when healthy, tore his ACL late in the year. In 2006, Jones suffered a season-ending foot injury late in the season. The Lions apparently thought that two season-ending injuries was one too many.

Jones is now a free agent and will likely be courted by a lot of teams. He’s looked like a superstar talent at different points in the last few seasons. He’s a strong runner who has good hands out of the backfield. He doesn’t have blazing speed but he’s a solid back.

He will sign with a team that will view him as insurance at the running back position. Due to his injury history, no team can afford penciling Jones into a major role in 2008. That said, Jones is on record as stating that he’s certain he’ll be ready for the start of camp.

While Jones should be able to land on his feet, this is a big blow to his fantasy worth. Jones was still the favorite to win the running back job in Detroit – all the way up to the point that he was released. Now he’s looking at a backup or third string job, depending on where he signs.

In Detroit, it appears that Tatum Bell is going to be given another shot to win the starting job. Bell was the opening day starter last season before giving way to Jones once he got healthy enough to play.

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Johnson has shown flashes of being a really good receiver. While he’s been overshadowed in recent years, his potential is still quite good. When given an opportunity to play an expanded well, he’s usually reacted well.

In San Francisco, it’s too early to tell how many snaps he’ll play per game. He’s joining Darrell Jackson and Isaac Bruce as wide receivers on the Niners. Jackson and Bruce probably have the inside edge in terms of the starting position. However, it’s important to not that Mike Martz has been brought on to run San Francisco’s offense. Martz loves to play three, four and even sometimes five wide receiver sets.

In 2008, Johnson should be good for around 700 yards and four touchdowns. Those projections could rise if he is named the starter at some point before the season begins.

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The Chicago Bears recently signed Lloyd after losing both Muhsin Muhammad and Bernard Berian to free agency. Lloyd, along with Marty Booker, will be asked to pick up the slack at wide receiver. The Bears are taking a bit of a gamble with Lloyd because he’s been more of a tease than a productive football player so far in his career.

If Lloyd grows up mentally and puts in the work, Lloyd could be a free agent steal. If he doesn’t, there’s a good chance that he’ll be buried on the depth charts – even if wide receiver is currently a weakness for the Bears.

Lloyd won’t be more than a late round flyer in fantasy football in 2008. Chances are he’ll total about 600 yards and pull down around two or three touchdowns. His ceiling is much higher, which may tempt some fantasy football owners.

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