Patriots testing out 2nd-year QB Etling at WR
The New England Patriots might be attempting to create their own version of the New Orleans Saints' do-it-all weapon Taysom Hill.
Patriots second-year passer Danny Etling donned a white practice jersey instead of the red non-contact one reserved for quarterbacks in Thursday's practice and proceeded to work with the receiving group, per ESPN's Mike Reiss.
"Everyone has a lot of different roles on this team, and I'm no exception," said Etling, who spent his rookie season on the practice squad. "I'm excited to continue to keep trying to find a different role for myself and do whatever the coaches ask me to do."
Video: Seeing Danny Etling work as a WR - and not a QB - was one of the surprise stories from the first day of training camp. pic.twitter.com/tcGPKDeW5e
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) July 26, 2019
Hill racked up 40 touches for 200 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns in 2018 in a dual quarterback/H-back role that often caused defenses to be off-balance.
Etling (6-foot-3, 220 pounds) and Hill (6-foot-2, 221 pounds) share a similar build, and while the former has never played receiver, he showed off his running skills during last year's preseason.
Patriots converting Danny Etling to WR might have something to do with this inconsequential 86-yard TD in the preseason a year ago ⤵️pic.twitter.com/zK9o0EpeT4
— Tyler Greenawalt (@TyGreen14) July 26, 2019
The Patriots have Brian Hoyer and 2019 fourth-round pick Jarrett Stidham to back up Tom Brady, so they can afford to experiment with Etling during training camp.
New England also has a history of moving players to different positions. Pro Bowl wide receiver Julian Edelman, who was a college quarterback, is head coach Bill Belichick's most famous and successful switch.