Green Bay Packers must be trusted with Ty Montgomery pick

The Green Bay Packers have had a curious start to the 2015 NFL Draft, and drew the ire of many fans by following up back-to-back cornerback selections with Ty Montgomery, a return specialist and wide receiver out of Stanford who some view as a gadget player at the next level. A disappointing 2014 campaign torpedoed the high hopes that many scouts had for Montgomery, leaving even the third round to be rich for his value, but a look at his potential roles on this roster should bring a great deal of hope.

Standing at 6’0″ and 221 pounds, the thick Montgomery slimmed down to 211 pounds for his pro day and reportedly moved very well at the weight. He was clocked in the 40-yard dash at 4.55-second in Indianapolis, a number which he improved upon slightly later in the draft process, but relies primarily on quick and powerful feet to create small-area bursts.

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Green Bay Packers area scout Sam Seale was first to bang the table for Montgomery, and told Jason Wilde of ESPN Wisconsin that “to me, he’s a bigger Randall Cobb. That’s what I’ve seen in the kid.” Let’s all collectively pump the brakes on that comparison, but Cobb is the type of player that we should discuss Montgomery as.

From day one, he will be a leading candidate to take over kickoff and punt return duties. Montgomery returned two kicks for touchdowns in 2013 at Stanford, followed by two punts for scores in 2014, and several scouts have suggested that he comes with Pro Bowl potential on special teams. After a season in which Green Bay fans suffered through some ugly special teams episodes, this is a welcome addition.

The foremost reason that I link his style of play to Randall Cobb, however, is the possibility that the Packers will move him around offensive schemes in an attempt to create open-field touches. His hands made me cringe at several points while watching his game tape and his route-running has some holes, so don’t expect to see him featured in a great deal of traditional wide receiver situations in his rookie season. Instead, keep your eyes in the backfield.

In 2011, Thompson and the Green Bay Packers selected the small-yet-talented tight end D.J. Williams out of Arkansas to serve as an H-back out of the backfield. Although that project failed, I see Montgomery being used in a similar role, especially with the potential for increased snaps from the pistol formation this coming season. Montgomery is a mismatch on nearly any linebacker, and the opportunity to hit him in the open flat may be Green Bay’s strategy for year one.

Entering 2015, this also adds some unexpected competition to Green Bay’s roster. Jeff Janis and Jared Abbrederis were both favorites to push their way onto the roster in year two, but it is now entirely likely that only one cracks the final 53.

This pick comes higher than I have Montgomery ranked while also bypassing needs at inside linebacker and along the defensive line. Because of this, some widespread questioning of the pick is both warranted and expected. As I highlighted leading up o the draft, however, Ted Thompson has found great success drafting wide receivers from the second and third tiers of talent. Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, James Jones and Davante Adams were all found outside of round one.

Again, this is certainly not to suggest that Montgomery will even begin to approach the talent level of a Cobb, but his fit within this offseason should bring hope, or at the very least, intrigue. Montgomery has the ability to take both return teams to the next level and contribute sparingly from day one with the ball in his hands. If there’s one person I trust to put him into the right situation, it’s Aaron Rodgers.

Next: Packers find unlikely corner in Damarious Randall

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