New England Patriots Roster Recap: Running Backs

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Nov 23, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) runs against the Buffalo Bills during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /

LeGarrette Blount, age 30

There’s still a good chance Blount returns to New England for the 2017 season. Regardless, the Patriots running back corps with and without him are too different stories.

Coming off a season-ending injury last year, Blount rebounded strongly in 2016, rushing for 1,161 yards and eighteen touchdowns. For the first time in his career, Blount earned a spot on NFL Network’s Top 100 Players of 2017.

In March, Blount hit the free agent market. According to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, the Patriots placed a tender on the running back. The details of the tender are:

"First, the team acquires exclusive negotiating rights with the player, if he doesn’t sign elsewhere before July 22. From July 22 through the Tuesday after Week 10 of the regular season, the player can sign only with his prior team. Second, if the May 9 tender is made and the player signs with a new team before July 22, the transaction counts toward the compensatory draft pick formula for 2018."

The report also states:

"The Patriots, PFT has learned, made the May 9 tender to running back LeGarrette Blount. The offer amounts to 110 percent of his total pay in 2016, which was $1 million."

Blount’s deal would be a one-year contract worth $1.1 million.

If Blount is reunited with the defending champs, he will compete with Mike Gillislee for the starting running back job.

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