Rookie Report: 3rd-rounders Ty Montgomery, John Miller could make immediate impact
The Rookie Report highlights first-year players, focusing on how they might perform in their debut season and beyond.
Ty Montgomery, WR, Green Bay Packers
Green Bay's top three receivers are likely set with Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Davante Adams, but the team does have a big need on special teams. That's where Montgomery comes in.
The Stanford product averaged nearly 20 yards per punt return and 25.2 yards per kick return during his senior season. He also finished as the school’s all-time leader in total kick return yards with 2,133.
The Packers, meanwhile, had one of the worst special-teams units in the NFL last season, and it ended up costing them the NFC Championship Game and assistant coach Shawn Slocum his job.
In Montgomery, the Packers see a "bigger Cobb," who made a big impact in his rookie season as a return specialist.
"He can come in here and really elevate our special teams his first year, and push the people in front of him," said Sam Seale, the Packers' West Coast scout, of Montgomery.
John Miller, G, Buffalo Bills
Miller has made quite the impression on the Bills' coaching staff in the short time he's been with the team. The former Louisville guard is already running with the first team during voluntary workouts, and head coach Rex Ryan said recently he could be in the starting lineup come September.
"He might be the opening guy there," Ryan told WGR Sportsradio 550. "He's been very impressive. I think right now that's the most important thing just because we're not going up against anybody. But this guy has a big, wide, square body and we are hitting bags and his technique is pretty good. He has really been impressive."
Although a tad undersized at 6-foot-2 and 305 pounds, Miller figures to be a good fit in Greg Roman's power-run scheme. He was also a four-year starter at Louisville and has experience at both left and right guard.
Miller will likely be battling Richie Incognito and Chris Williams for one of the two open guard spots, but at this point, it looks like it's his job to lose.
Quick Hits
- Jalston Fowler is eager to show the Tennessee Titans that they got more than a blocking fullback when they drafted him in the fourth round.
- Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians said the battle for the team's third quarterback spot is wide open, which is significant considering they lost Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton to injury last season. That could be good news for undrafted free agent Phillip Sims.
- The Kansas City Chiefs don't have much use for a third tight end, but they could use an impact player on special teams. Fifth-round pick James O’Shaughnessy is more than willing to fill that role.
- As part of their transition to the NFL, Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookies were given a crash course in etiquette.
- After losing Travaris Cadet in free agency, the New Orleans Saints are hoping seventh-round pick Marcus Murphy can replace him as their return man and third-down back.