Green Bay Packers 2017 roster preview: Ty Montgomery
Once a receiver, now the Green Bay Packers’ starting running back, what can we expect from Ty Montgomery in the 2017 season?
A year ago there was plenty of buzz about Montgomery, but not as a running back. He’d flashed potential as a receiver the year prior before getting hurt, and he was presented an opportunity to grab a significant role on offense.
Talk about making the most of your opportunities. As the Packers’ running backs dropped like flies, Montgomery took on the duties and was so good he made it a permanent move.
Considering the turnover at the running back position this offseason, what can we expect from Montgomery moving forward?
2016 stats
Montgomery finished the season with 77 carries for 457 yards and three touchdowns at an impressive 5.9 yards per carry. He also caught 44 passes for 348 yards. According to Pro Football Focus, Montgomery played on 36 percent of the Packers’ offensive snaps.
2016 review
It’s hard not to be impressed with Montgomery’s career so far. His rookie season was short and sweet, derailed by a significant ankle injury after just six games. But in that span he showcased his talent at piling up yards after the catch and running through tackles, traits he’s carried over as a running back.
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When Eddie Lacy and James Starks went down, using Montgomery in the backfield was nothing more than an experiment. A desperate attempt to get some production back there before either one of the two got healthy, or the Packers found a suitable replacement.
Yet Montgomery showed the patience and vision of a seasoned veteran. His speed and elusiveness makes him deadly in the open field, but Montgomery surprised a lot of people with his ability between the tackles.
The only area Montgomery truly struggled in was pass protection, and this is something he’ll need to shore up over the summer. Durability concerns are also there, but the good far outweighed the bad for Montgomery in 2016.
Odds of making roster: 100 percent
Penciled in as the starting running back for 2017, Montgomery’s status on the roster is secure.
2017 preview
As things stand, the third-year man will enter the new season as the Packers’ starting running back. Mike McCarthy made this decision despite the addition of three backs in the 2017 NFL Draft. There will be no shortage of competition for snaps.
Montgomery’s versatility is what makes him so special. Not only can he be an every-down back, he can also catch passes out of the backfield and line up as a wide receiver. This makes him such an important chess piece for Mike McCarthy, as it allows the Packers to move him around and catch defenses in unfavorable matchups.
Montgomery needs to improve in pass protection and prove he’s durable, but when healthy there’s no denying his importance to the Packers offense.
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Check out our full interview with Vince Biegel here. Lombardi Ave’s Dan Dahlke spoke to him ahead of the 2017 NFL Draft, and he’s now a member of the Green Bay Packers.