Ex-Patriots RB LeGarrette Blount, NY Giants Rumored to Have Mutual Interest

With a return to the New England Patriots appearing unlikely, the New York Giants have emerged as a candidate to sign free-agent running back LeGarrette Blount.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, there is mutual interest between Blount and the Giants leading up to Thursday's draft.

In addition to having James White and Dion Lewis on the roster already, the Pats signed Rex Burkhead in free agency and also landed running back Mike Gillislee from the Buffalo Bills on Monday when Buffalo declined to match an offer sheet.

That leaves New England with a crowded backfield, and there likely isn't room for the 30-year-old Blount.

Per WEEI's Ryan Hannable, the Patriots did make Blount a contract offer at one point this offseason, but he decided against signing it.

Blount is coming off the best season of his NFL career, as he set personal bests with 1,161 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns.

That type of production would be welcomed by a Giants team that ranked 29th in the NFL in rushing last season.

New York currently lacks a proven workhorse in its backfield with Paul Perkins penciled in as the starter and the likes of Shane Vereen, Shaun Draughn and Orleans Darkwa serving as depth.

The G-Men are in line to have a high-octane passing game with quarterback Eli Manning throwing to Odell Beckham Jr., Brandon Marshall and Sterling Shepard, but Blount would add an important element to the offense that was lacking in 2016.

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