As the Jets get close to training camp, I am going to examine the roster and give you my top 25 players. Each weekday, we will reveal another person on the list, leading right into camp. I am not including rookies on this list because I do not feel it is possible to fully evaluate them before they play a game.
No. 23: Ty Montgomery
Last year’s ranking: Unranked (not on team)
Position: RB
Age on Opening Day: 26
How acquired: Signed a one-year, $895,000 contract as a free agent on April 11.
Years left on contract: 1
2019 Salary Cap figure: $735,000
Looking back at 2018: Montgomery spent the first seven games of the season with the Packers before getting traded at the deadline to the Ravens. He played six regular season games for Baltimore plus a playoff game.
The biggest moment of Montgomery’s 2018 season came with Green Bay against the Rams in Week 8. The Packers were losing 29-27 with 2:05 remaining in the game when Montgomery returned a kickoff from the end zone and fumbled the ball. The Rams recovered and went on to win the game. Later, it was reported that Montgomery had been told to take a knee on the kick return. He was traded two days later.
He ended the season with 41 rushes for 188 yards and one touchdown. He had 25 catches for 235 yards and 10 kick returns for 210 yards.
Outlook for 2019: Montgomery has had a strong spring for the Jets. He has been the beneficiary of Le’Veon Bell staying away for much of the voluntary portion of the offseason program. Montgomery has gotten a ton of reps. He looks like a good fit in Adam Gase’s offense because of his versatility as a runner and pass catcher.
Montgomery is also the current favorite to be the kick returner for the Jets. There is a long way to go. It is hard to evaluate these things until preseason games start, but Montgomery has the most returning experience of anyone on the roster and should enter training camp as the top returner.