With their third-round pick, the Green Bay Packers went offense, selecting Stanford receiver Ty Montgomery.
At this point, we’re sure Ted Thompson is drafting out of spite. He hates that we know that he doesn’t always draft the best player available and instead drafts for need. So he’s decided to show us all by exclusively picking guys at positions where the Packers have no need.
Montgomery fits that bill. The Packers drafted three receivers just last year. They already have two Pro Bowlers in addition to those three guys. So why not draft another receiver?!
Somewhere, Ted is mumbling, “I got you good, you fucker!” to no one in particular.
Let’s talk about Ty Montgomery (6-0, 221), though.
He should really be looked at as an all-purpose player, rather than a receiver.
Certainly, he has receiver skills, but he will drop some balls. In 2014, he caught 61 balls for 604 yards and three touchdowns. He was better in 2013, catching 61 balls for 958 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also rushed for 334 yards in his college career.
Here’s where Montgomery really makes sense for the Packers — on returns.
He averaged 27.4 yards on kick returns throughout his college career and scored three touchdowns. Although he only returned punts as a senior, Montgomery averaged 19.8 on 12 returns and scored two touchdowns.
That’s great news for the Packers, who probably no longer have any interest in exposing Randall Cobb on returns. Last year, they tried to force running back DuJuan Harris into the role of kick returner and he was a disaster. He was eventually replaced by Cobb. On punts, Cobb and Micah Hyde split duties.
Montgomery, who ran a 4.5 40, may be a luxury item on offense who gets a few snaps a game. However, he should make an immediate impact as a returner.
Here’s the NFL.com scouting report.
Montgomery is a likable person with high character and an ability to leave a positive impression in draft interviews, but teams will still have to figure out how they want to use him. His hands might not be trustworthy enough to be part of a three-wide-receiver set. Montgomery can flip fields and change games with his ability in the return game and might be best-utilized in a dynamic, open-minded offensive system that gets the ball in his hands quickly and allows him to use his run after catch talents.
Bang it for the highlights.