With training camp less than three weeks away for most teams, it’s the perfect time to get a head start on your fantasy football research. We will learn a lot about every player in camp, but some players stand the most to gain or lose in camp. These players are generally newcomers to their current NFL team or just players who may see an increased or decreased role due to the supporting cast around them.
In this series, it will be our job to highlight these players in an effort to help you get ahead of the game in your research. Over the next four weeks, we will preview every division and pinpoint four to five players to track during training camp and the preseason. We broke down the NFC and AFC last week and we will feature the North divisions this week. After the AFC North this week, now we’re on to the NFC. See the whole series here. Let’s jump in.
Ty Montgomery, RB, Green Bay Packers
Montgomery is one of the most intriguing players in redraft after successfully converting from wide receiver to running back in 2016. The Packers changed the offense for Montgomery in 2016 after injuries to Eddie Lacy and James Starks, but have since added three new rookie running backs to the mix in Jamaal Williams, Aaron Jones, and Devante Mays. Montgomery’s role and usage are not set in stone, but don’t tell that to fantasy owners who are gambling on him early and banking on the upside of landing the lead back in an Aaron Rodgers offense.
The narrative: Montgomery isn’t built to hold up in a lead RB role
At 6-foot-0 and 216 pounds, Montgomery didn’t enter the NFL looking like a running back. Now that he has converted positions, he has also bulked up to around his combine weight — at 220 pounds. Montgomery talked about the difference in year two — night and day — now that he knows his reads and is no longer running on instincts. If he wants to hold down the lead role in Rodgers’ offense, he’ll have to continue improving as a pass protector.
What reports to focus on: Montgomery was named the “starting back” by HC Mike McCarthy back in late April, but we want more. Look for reports on Montgomery’s red-zone usage specifically. He fared well in this area in 2016 and his overall fantasy value will be dependent on him keeping the job in this area.
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