Green Bay Packers: NFC North RB Grades and Rankings
2. Green Bay Packers
(Ty) Montgomery was a savior for the Packers offense, who despite beginning the year as a wide receiver and his lack of knowledge in picking up blitzes prospered by delivering captivating performances down the stretch.
The versatile playmaker outplayed the likes of (James) Starks and Christine Michael and it wasn’t even close, as Montgomery registered a league-best +2.5 YPC (yards per carry) differential, according to PFF, compared to his teammates at the running back position.
The Stanford spark plug did this operating behind an offensive line that generated the lowest yards-before-contact average in the NFL (0.52).
The same front five, ironically, was also ranked as the top pass-blocking unit by PFF earlier this year.
Montgomery might be a flashy runner that can make people miss, but he packs a punch with his overall physical strength as well. In his limited sample of 77 carries, he reportedly averaged 5.1 yards after contact.
In recent OTA practices, the third-year Packer showed up noticeably bigger in his arms and torso area without padding his frame in the mid-section.
Fullback Aaron Ripkowski is back, but will most likely see a reduction in touches due to the rookie triumvirate brought in by Ted Thompson and company via the April draft.
Headlining the group is BYU import Jamaal Williams, who as a collegian displayed the ability to elude defenders and churn out yards after contact by averaging 3.3 (another stat brought to you by PFF) in his final year in Provo.
Williams is projected to be involved in at least 25-30 percent of the team’s offensive snaps with a man in the backfield because of his elite level of pass protection.
The secret weapon here may be Aaron Jones from UTEP considering the multitude of skills he brings to the table, including his balance, strength and start-and-stop quickness to leave defenders standing in place.
In addition, the one-time high school slot receiver runs precise downfield routes, including corners, fade patterns, posts, halfback options, angle and wheel routes, as he himself detailed in a recent interview with Lombardi Ave.
Seventh-round selection Devante Mays shouldn’t be overlooked either given his combination of size, power and uncommon burst in a 225-pound running back.
Mays’ body type and running style is reminiscent of former Charger and Falcon Michael Turner.
Kalif Phillips and William Stanback are two undrafted free agent signees that are on the low end of the depth chart, but there’s always a chance that either could take the coaching staff by storm.
Phillips is a compact, high-effort ball carrier that doesn’t possess any special running skills, but is an above-average pass blocker.
Stanback is a stocky 233 pounds with some wiggle in his hips, but barring injuries his best chance to make the team will be by laying the wood in special teams coverage.
Grade: B+