Saints: Ty Montgomery is primed to take over Tre’Quan Smith’s role

The New Orleans Saints plan to use Ty Montgomery in a “Swiss Army” knife role which could keep Tre’Quan Smith on the sidelines.

As the offseason started to cool down, the Saints made an extremely underrated addition in former Jets running back Ty Montgomery. Montgomery, who is a shifty, quick back, adds strength to this team due to his versatility.

Being known to have success with players that can successfully be in multiple positions, the Saints plan to put the running back into more of a Taysom Hill-like role in 2020 which could hurt former third-round pick Tre’Quan Smith’s snaps.

Montgomery’s first season in the league he played as a receiver so the knowledge and talent are there.

“I see a Swiss Army knife. The worst thing we could do right here today is, is sit there and pigeonhole and say, ‘Hey, you’re going to be put in this position, and that’s it,'” Saints running backs coach Joel Thomas said according to Amie Just of NOLA.com.

That’s great for Montgomery who was looking to be the team’s third-string running back anyway. With Latavius Murray and Alvin Kamara both in the mix for snaps, being a running back in New Orleans and actually playing would be no easy task.

That’s why Montgomery will have to make his money on screens, on slant routes, and as a player that can do just about everything as a receiver and back. And, according to the team’s running back coach, that versatile multi-position role is what they plan to use him as.

Since being a third-round draft pick back in 2015, Montgomery really hasn’t consistently seen the field since his second season in the league. With Taysom Hill as the Swiss Army knife for the offensive line and backfield, Montgomery will give a change of pace.

Playing in all 16 games last season, Montgomery saw just 32 rushes and 13 receptions.

A dual-threat back, it’ll be interesting to see how his role differs from Hill’s. One thing is for sure — if the team uses him at all as a receiver, Tre’Quan Smith may have an uphill battle for any good percentage of snaps.

The team likely still has faith in Smith, but he’s running out of time and the Saints skill positions are continuing to improve. He needs a big camp to show he’s worthy of those snaps as the third-string receiver.