Much of the attention on the free agent market is aimed at Dalvin Cook, but a number of other veteran running backs remain unsigned. Ezekiel Elliott and Leonard Fournette are among them, despite the fact they each visited the Patriots last month. 
Elliott has received little interest since his Cowboys release, and a return to Dallas (while still possible) continues to appear unlikely. The Patriots could use the former rushing champion as a high-end backup to Rhamondre Stevenson, and Elliott is believed to be New England’s target rather than Cook in that regard. Finances are a barrier which has yet to be overcome on the Elliott front, however.
Outkick’s Armando Salguero notes that New England has a price point which it is not prepared to surpass to sign Elliott. The Patriots currently have just over $17MM in cap space, so they could afford to outbid a competing team if that becomes necessary. For now, though, they will wait for Elliott to make a decision on his future in the aftermath of an encouraging visit to Foxborough.
The same is not true of Fournette’s trek to New England. Selguero adds that the former Jaguar and Buccaneer’s conditioning was not impressive when he worked out with the Patriots. Fournette dealt with weight issues ahead of last season, one in which he averaged just 3.5 yards per carry and ceded playing time to Rachaad White. In the aftermath of Tom Brady‘s retirement, Fournette asked for and was granted his release from Tampa Bay.
That move has left him on the open market into August, with little interest shown outside of New England. The Patriots have kept their options open regarding a veteran RB addition, having also worked out Darrell Henderson. At the moment, Elliott seems the likeliest move at the position, but the plethora of backs still available certainly makes this a buyer’s market with preseason set to begin around the league.
BB only likes to draft defensive players, then he signs cheap FA offensive players. That’s why they’ll have another bad offense this year. Poor Mac
If Fournette is not in shape, it’s going to be hard for him to find a taker anywhere considering what has happened to the RB position around the league. He may need to settle for the minimum if he wants to play somewhere.
If you are shopping for free agent players at this time of year you need to expect to find the shelves kind of bare…
You’d think a professional athlete looking for a job would be in good condition.
He’s–should be– a multimillionaire that is competing for vet’s minimum wage. Not much incentive. LF will sign during the season when a team is low on backs.
I use to wonder how Damon Harrison could keep getting contract offers with the nickname “Snacks”…lol.
Fournette can still do it as a goal line and short yardage back, but no there’s no particular interest in the great Leonard Fournette, as he just ain’t that Leonard Fournette no more. The train has left the station and Fournette would do well to retire instead of play in this condition.