Ron Wolf was thrown a curve ball before the 2000 draft, when the Green Bay general manager found out that Packers veteran tight end Mark Chmura would not be cleared to play because of a neck injury.
"That seriously cramped our style," said Wolf, who was considering Keith Bulluck, the Syracuse linebacker taken by the Tennessee Titans with the 30th overall pick. "But we chose Bubba, who came in and struggled some his first year, but he developed into a Pro Bowl player."
Franks started 13 of 16 games as rookie, and caught 34 passes with just one touchdown as he adapted to the Green Bay offensive system and the pro level.