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Patriots 2016 Free Agency Yes/No: LeGarrette Blount

By Connor Fulton

Dec 6, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) runs against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) runs against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports /
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LeGarrette Blount Patriots
Dec 6, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) runs against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports /

As the next installment in our Yes/No series detailing the New England Patriots’ free agency, this morning we are deciding whether or not the Patriots should re-sign free agent running back LeGarrette Blount.

The answer: NO

First off, let’s start by saying how much Blount has meant to the Patriots’ overall offensive attack since he joined the team in 2013. In the better part of three seasons with the Pats (he spent some time with the Pittsburgh Steelers at the beginning of 2014), Blount has rushed for 1,756 yards and 16 touchdowns with a nice 4.6 yards per carry average.

Even though Blount is still playing well, the Patriots should—and will—let him walk in free agency. Bill Belichick is so keen at recognizing when a player is about to be on the downswing of his career; Blount will be the 2015 equivalent of situations like Wes Welker and Logan Mankins.

From the LeGarrette Blount vault:

Patriots should move on from LeGarrette Blount in free agency

Week 14 reaction: Life without LeGarrette Blount, Dominique Easley

With Blount no longer in town, Patriots will be in the market for a beefy ball carrier, they type of guy who can handle 15-20 carries a game (which neither Dion Lewis nor James White can). Matt Forte is certainly on that list, as is 2016 NFL Draft prospect C.J. Prosise.

In case you missed them, listed here are recent installments in our Yes/No free agency series.

Patriots 2016 Free Agency Yes/No: ST Nate Ebner

Patriots 2016 Free Agency Yes/No: WR Brandon Gibson

Patriots 2016 Free Agency Yes/No: FB James Develin

Next: 5 Under-the-radar free agents Pats should consider

Be sure to check back on Musket Fire tomorrow morning as we ponder the future of free agent defensive tackle Akiem Hicks.

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