Green Bay Packers 2017 Roster: Breaking down the running backs

The Green Bay Packers running back position has undergone the most dramatic transformation of any portion of their roster the past year.

On the cusp of last year’s training camp, Eddie Lacy and James Starks were geared to be the Packers’ one-two punch in the backfield.

However, after a year of struggling to maintain his weight Lacy’s 2016 season was cut short. Surgery to repair an injured ankle only five games into the season put Lacy on IR for the remainder of the season.

Only 71 carries for 360 yards in a contract year didn’t help Lacy’s chances for returning to Green Bay.

Starks also had a disappointing year. At age 30, the physical wear and tear of the game seemed to catch up with him. The Packers released Starks in February after he missed seven games in 2016 and did very little with 63 rushing attempts.

With the Packers two veteran halfbacks in and out of the lineup, Green Bay experimented with Don Jackson, Knile Davis, and Aaron Ripkowski at running back before settling on Ty Montgomery as their answer at the position.

Even though No. 88 had his own fair share of injuries throughout the season, the former wideout was their most effective option when he was in the lineup. Now, it appears the Packers would like to build around Montgomery’s versatility in the backfield.