Donald Lee

Lee will compete with Clay Harbor to back up Brent Celek this season and with Michael Vick's aversion to using his tight ends, his fantasy value is very limited, if it exists at all.

Lee has been relegated to the No. 2 tight end in Green Bay with the emergence of Jermichael Finley. Lee’s the better blocker and will still see a fair amount of snaps, and the Packers likely will continue to use two-tight end sets, but his fantasy value is limited with Finley seeing the majority of tight-end targets. Lee had 54 targets to Finley’s 71 last season. That disparity could grow this season.

Despite the breakout season of Aaron Rodgers, Lee took a step back last year. He caught only 39 balls for 303 yards, but tallied five scores. Lee posted a dismal 7.8 yards per catch, last among the 38 tight ends with at least 30 targets. While he should bounce back slightly, backup Jermichael Finley will cut into Lee’s playing time and targets this season.

The Packers have traditionally used the tight end a good deal, particularly inside the red zone, which meant Bubba Franks had once been among the top 10 at the position. Franks has now given way to Donald Lee, who was third on the team with 48 catches (575 yards) and second with six touchdown receptions. That happened while splitting playing time with Franks, who signed with the Jets during the offseason. Lee should be the position leader on the team, but will be playing with a new quarterback in Aaron Rodgers. That adds some uncertainty to Lee's projection, but young signal callers often rely on the tight end as a security blanket.

Lee will be the mainstay No. 2 tight end for the Packers in 2007 now that David Martin is off the roster. Lee is a bit leaner and has a more speed than current starting TE Bubba Franks, so he will likely see a bit more action in the passing game than in years before.

Keep an eye on how Bubba Franks responds from last season’s neck and back injuries that limited him to his lowest totals in six NFL seasons. Lee and David Martin stepped in last season and can do so again in 2006.

Depth guy at tight end.