LeGarrette Blount

Patriots Apply Tender To LeGarrette Blount

The Patriots have applied a May 9 tender to running back LeGarrette Blount, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. The tender is worth 110% of his total pay in 2016, which means that it is a one-year deal with a $1.1MM base with another $1MM in incentives tied to rushing yards. The rarely-used device could pay dividends for the defending champs. LeGarrette Blount (vertical)

[RELATED: Top 8 Fits For RB LeGarrette Blount]

The move gives the Patriots exclusive negotiating rights with Blount starting on July 22, provided that he doesn’t sign elsewhere first. Starting on that date and going all the way through Week 10 of the regular season, Blount will not be able to sign with any club but New England. If Blount does sign with a team before 7/22, the signing will count towards the compensatory draft pick formula for 2018. Without the tender, Blount would have been free to sign somewhere else today and that club would not have had to worry about hurting its standing in next year’s draft.

At last check, the Lions and Giants were the two teams with the most interest in the veteran running back. Last week, I ran down eight potential fits for Blount in the event that he does not wind up with the Patriots.

East Rumors: Pats, Blount, Pugh, Mangold

The Patriots could offer a tender to free agent running back LeGarrette Blount in an attempt to retain him for the 2017 season, as Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap details (Twitter links). Unrestricted free agents that aren’t signed by May 9 are eligible to be tendered a one-year contract by the player’s original club for 110% of his prior year salary (for Blount, that would amount to roughly $1.1MM). Not only would such a maneuver allow New England to be in line for a 2018 compensatory pick if Blount signs elsewhere, but it would give the Patriots exclusive negotiating rights with the veteran back if he doesn’t land a contract by July 22. This option isn’t exclusive to New England — any team can do this with its unsigned UFAs — but Fitzgerald notes that such a move would be a typical Patriots strategy.

Here’s more from the NFL’s two East divisions:

  • After playing out his fifth-year option in 2017, Giants guard Justin Pugh will become a free agent next spring, and he’s aware of the rising price tags for interior offensive linemen. “The guard market has gone up,” said Pugh, according to Dan Duggan of NJ.com. “Do you even know who some of those guys are that were getting paid? I feel good about where I’m at.” New York is reportedly interested in signing Pugh to an extension, but the 26-year-old will likely have expensive demands after grading out as the No. 16 guard in the league last season, per Pro Football Focus. Kevin Zeitler reset the guard market this offseason after inking a deal with Cleveland that pays him $12MM annually.
  • Free agent center Nick Mangold confirmed previous reports that the Jets didn’t make a real effort to keep him on the roster at a lower price before releasing him outright (Twitter links via SiriusXM NFL Radio). Mangold, 33, was later asked about the possibility of joining the Patriots and quipped Bill Belichick isn’t overly fond of him after the pair’s “battles” in the AFC East. On Monday, Mangold indicated he is still working to get back to full health and didn’t rule out the possibility of retiring. Recently, PFR listed Mangold as a potential external option for the Saints if they need a fill-in for injured center Max Unger.
  • Giants linebacker Mark Herzlich is changing his jersey number from 94 to 44 so that can appear eligible on offensive plays, as Tom Rock of Newsday writes. While Herzlich didn’t identify which offensive position he’ll be playing, tight end and/or fullback would seem to make the most sense. Herzlich has played tight end on New York’s scout team, per Rock, but otherwise hasn’t seen time on offense since high school.

No More Comp. Pick Formula For UFAs

Starting today, unrestricted free agents that are signed will not count towards the league’s 2018 compensatory pick formula. Today is the second Tuesday after the draft and, as stipulated by the rules, teams can now sign players without having to worry about hurting their standing in next year’s draft. LeGarrette Blount (vertical)

Compensatory picks are given to teams that lose a greater number of compensatory free agents (or, a greater quality of free agents) than they acquire. The complicated formula that dictates how the picks are dispersed is not disclosed to the public, but teams are wary of signing lower impact UFAs while it is in effect. Now that we’re past that point of the offseason, a major barrier has been lifted for veteran free agents like LeGarrette Blount and others.

For a more complete explanation of the compensatory pick formula, we recommend this primer from Over The Cap.

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AFC Notes: Chiefs, Ravens, Fins, Titans

As the Chiefs were preparing to trade up 17 spots in the first round of this year’s draft to select Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes 10th overall, they reached out to starting signal-caller Alex Smith to make sure he’d be OK with it, general manager John Dorsey told the NFL Network on Monday (via Conor Orr of NFL.com). “You know, Alex is the consummate professional,” said Dorsey. “He’s been through these types of situations before and we made sure we communicated with Alex leading up to the draft that we may make a move like this. And when we were on the clock and traded up with Buffalo, we made sure we again got in contact with Alex and he’s all on board with this.” Even after the addition of Mahomes, Smith knows the Chiefs are “his team,” per Dorsey, who praised the 33-year-old for owning “the fourth-winningest record” among QBs since his KC tenure began in 2013. The Chiefs have indeed posted an excellent regular-season mark (41-20) with Smith at the controls, but they’ve managed only one playoff win in three trips. Now, thanks in no small part to the Chiefs’ investment in Mahomes, Smith appears unlikely to last as their starter for much longer. The 12-year veteran’s contract will expire after the 2018 season.

More from the AFC:

  • The Ravens are the best fit for free agent running back LeGarrette Blount, opines ESPN.com’s Jamison Hensley, who writes that the ex-Patriot’s “bruising” style would be perfect for Baltimore’s offense. Moreover, running back is a need for the Ravens, Hensley points out. With Kenneth Dixon set to miss the opening quarter of the season on account of a suspension and Terrance West having led the team last year with a so-so 774 yards on 193 carries, it’s hard to argue with Hensley. PFR’s Zach Links recently made a case for Baltimore to sign Blount, who set a career high with 1,161 rushing yards and finished with an NFL-best 18 touchdowns on the ground last season.
  • Retired quarterback Peyton Manning had a hand in the Dolphins’ late-winter acquisition of tight end Julius Thomas from the Jaguars, Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post details. Manning played in Indianapolis under now-Dolphins offensive coordinator Clyde Christiansen, who contacted the future Hall of Famer about Thomas when Miami was considering trading for him. Thomas’ best seasons, the 2013 and ’14 campaigns, came in Denver with Manning under center (and now-Dolphins head coach Adam Gase at offensive coordinator). Having tossed 24 touchdown passes to Thomas during that two-year span, Manning offered Christiansen a positive review of the tight end, saying “that (Thomas) figured it out. (Thomas’) figure-it-out factor was high. That’s what you look for. There’s a guy who came in and probably didn’t know a whole bunch about football, or played very little. His experience was very minimal, and then (he) came in and figured it out and then worked.”
  • The Titans are likely to promote Jon Salge to director of college scouting, a source told ESPN’s Adam Caplan (Twitter link). Salge, a college scout who’s in his 11th year with the Titans, would replace the recently fired Blake Beddingfield.

Top 8 Fits For RB LeGarrette Blount

In the last couple of weeks, we’ve seen veteran running backs Adrian Peterson, Jamaal Charles, and Marshawn Lynch find new homes. However, LeGarrette Blount is still without a job. "<strong

The Lions and Giants are known to be in on Blount, but we can’t help but wonder if there could be other potential fits out there for the player who I consider to be the best running back currently on the market. The PFR staff huddled up on Wednesday to run down possible landing spots for the power back:

  • Giants – The Giants have been connected to Blount for some time now and the interest is said to be mutual. The Giants are looking for a bruising running back to complement Paul Perkins and Blount, presumably, wants to join a potential contender, so it’s a solid match. Eli Manning‘s 2016 struggles are well documented, but a well-balanced offense would help him find Odell Beckham Jr. and Brandon Marshall as much as possible.
  • Lions – On paper, the Lions should have had a strong running game with Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick leading the way. Unfortunately, injuries cost both players significant time last year and rookie Dwayne Washington didn’t set the world on fire when given the opportunity. Zach Zenner had some flashes of brilliance, but the lesson learned here is that you can never have enough depth. Blount would be a great counter balance to Abdullah’s speed and Riddick’s reception focused game and he could be called on as the No. 1 guy if the injury bug strikes again.
  • Packers – Running back was a clear need for the Packers heading into the draft, but they did not select a top RB from this year’s deep pool of talent. Now, they need running backs even more after releasing Christine Michael and Don Jackson earlier this week. WR-turned-RB Ty Montgomery figures to be the lead guy in Green Bay, but the Packers could use some experience behind him. It’s not clear if the Packers have reached out to Blount’s reps yet, but they should.
  • Ravens – You might have missed it in the midst of the free agency frenzy, but the league suspended Kenneth Dixon for the first four games of the season after a PED policy violation. The Ravens can use free agent pickup Danny Woodhead as their lead back in the opening month, but it would make sense to add some depth along with Javorius Allen, Lorenzo Taliaferro, and Terrance West, particularly since Woodhead missed the majority of last season.
  • Dolphins – The Dolphins aren’t an obvious fit, but it’s possible that they could be in the market for a running back if Damien Williams continues to stay away from the team. The downside here is that Jay Ajayi is the clear No. 1 guy and Blount would have to fight Kenyan Drake for carries. In a scenario where Miami signs Blount and Williams is eventually brought back into the fold, there would be even less work to go around.
  • Chiefs – After moving on from Charles, the Chiefs might want to add some veteran help to a depth chart featuring Spencer Ware, Charcandrick West, and rookie Kareem Hunt. C.J. Spiller currently projects as the RB4, but he hasn’t been able to stick with a team in some time.
  • Redskins – The Redskins are shopping Matt Jones and that could free up a spot for someone like Blount. The Redskins have four other backs in Rob Kelley, Chris Thompson, Keith Marshall, and Mack Brown, but there are no superstars in the bunch.
  • Eagles – Ryan Mathews is scheduled to carry a $5MM cap number in 2017 and the Eagles can wipe $4MM of that off of the books by cutting him. Releasing the speedy but aging Darren Sproles would also yield $4MM in savings with zero dead money. At this stage of the offseason, Blount would represent a much cheaper option than either guy. Beyond Sproles and Mathews, there’s not much experience between Wendell Smallwood, Byron Marshall, Terrell Watson, and fourth-round pick Donnel Pumphrey.

Connor Byrne and Dallas Robinson contributed to this post.

Lions, Giants In On LeGarrette Blount

The Lions and Giants are in play for LeGarrette Blount, league sources tell Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports. The Giants’ interest has been known for a few weeks now, but the Lions connection is new. LeGarrette Blount (vertical)

[RELATED: Lions Pick Up Eric Ebron’s Option]

The Lions did not select a running back in the draft but they might look to bring in some extra competition at the position. Ideally, the Lions would like to use Ameer Abdullah as their main ball carrier with Theo Riddick as the pass-catching specialist, but Abdullah’s health cannot be counted upon. Zach Zenner, who impressed at times last season, and Dwayne Washington round out the running back depth chart. If signed, Blount could potentially squeeze Washington out of Detroit.

Blount remains on the market after turning down a modest one-year offer from the Patriots. At this stage of the game, he may have to settle for a similar deal if he wants to find an NFL home.

Giants Notes: OL, Blount, Engram, Mahomes

The Giants exit draft weekend without many questions about their defense, but their offense has a few. Mainly, Big Blue’s offensive line may still have some issues, particularly after the blocking prospect the team preferred, Garett Bolles, went just before New York made its first-round selection. The Giants were hoping the Broncos, whose left tackle need is probably bigger than theirs since former first-rounder Ereck Flowers is an option in New York, would bypass Bolles in favor of Ryan Ramczyk or Cam Robinson, Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.tv reports. Multiple sources told Vacchiano the Giants zeroed in on Bolles at No. 23, but Jerry Reese has not made a first-round draft maneuver — up or down — in his 11 years leading the franchise.

With Vacchiano noting the Giants were not as high on Ramczyk or Robinson, the Giants moved on. They did not select an offensive lineman until the sixth round, though, which is interesting for a team that has concerns — per the New York-embedded reporter — about Justin Pugh, Weston Richburg and newly signed D.J. Fluker entering contract years. Earlier this month, Reese said the positions up front weren’t solidified. So, the statuses of Flowers and Fluker, who played right tackle and right guard with the Chargers, are probably yet to be determined.

Here’s more from the Giants, courtesy of Vacchiano.

  • Multiple sources refuted talk of the Giants wanting to trade up to No. 10 to select Patrick Mahomes, who went to the Chiefs after they made a 17-spot jump. The Giants would have been willing to consider Mahomes at No. 23, per Vacchiano. But with Eli Manning likely to play out his contract as the team’s starter, and he’s signed through 2019, using a first-rounder on a quarterback may not have made much sense.
  • LeGarrette Blount was linked to the Giants on multiple occasions earlier this month, but the team’s selection of Clemson running back Wayne Gallman in the fourth round may have closed that avenue for the 30-year-old Blount. The Giants, though, haven’t moved on from the prospect of adding Blount, Vacchiano reports. However, it looks like they are going with a backfield depth chart that houses Gallman, Paul Perkins, Shane Vereen and Shaun Draughn.
  • The Giants opted to select Evan Engram over David Njoku, doing so despite the Miami product receiving a bit more pre-draft hype, and that pick was viewed by some as a reach. But Vacchiano notes buzz swirled about a team trying to trade up in front of the Giants to select Engram, identifying the Bills and Falcons as interested suitors. The Browns traded back into the first round to take Njoku, so they may have been in on this pursuit as well. Njoku was scheduled to visit the Giants earlier this month, but the team cancelled the meeting.
  • A jump in front of the Buccaneers or Broncos for the right to take O.J. Howard, whom the Giants “loved,” or Bolles would have cost the team a third-round pick, Vacchiano reports. The Giants stood tight at 23, viewing Engram and third-round pick Davis Webb as a better package than either Howard or Bolles.
  • Webb’s addition makes Geno Smith‘s place in New York odd, with Vacchiano writing the former Jets starter is almost certain to open camp on the PUP list and is a likely candidate for the Reserve/PUP come the regular season. Smith is recovering from a torn ACL and is signed through 2017 only. Vacchiano views returning backup Josh Johnson as the favorite to beat out Smith for a job. This could end up being a paid rehab year for the fifth-year passer, especially considering Manning hasn’t missed a start since becoming the starting quarterback in 2004.

Mutual Interest Between Giants, LeGarrette Blount

There’s mutual interest between the Giants and free agent running back LeGarrette Blount, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). He adds that there could be a potential match between the two sides before the draft. LeGarrette Blount (vertical)

Blount, at one point, had an offer on the table from the Patriots, but there’s no room for him now that Mike Gillislee is on board. The Giants, meanwhile, are looking to bolster a depth chart currently headlined by rising sophomore Paul Perkins. There are some good running backs near the top of this week’s draft, but the Giants have bigger fish to fry and would probably prefer to first address holes at offensive tackle, linebacker, and other spots.

At this stage of the offseason, the Giants might be able to sign the 30-year-old for cheap, giving them one of the league’s most productive power backs. Last year, Blount signed an incentive-laden deal with the Pats that featured a meager base salary of $760K. It’s not crazy to think that he would settle for something similar this time around.

If signed, Blount would likely split carries with Perkins while Shane Vereen serves as the team’s primary pass-catching option out of the backfield.

Giants Monitoring Adrian Peterson, LeGarrette Blount

The Giants are among the clubs keeping an eye on free agent running backs Adrian Peterson and LeGarrette Blount, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter link). Specifically, New York is waiting to see if either Peterson or Blount’s contract demands decrease before the draft.NFL: Minnesota Vikings at St. Louis Rams

Peterson has been linked to the Giants before, as head coach Ben McAdoo said “never say never” in response to a possible Peterson inquiry (previous reports had indicated Peterson was not a fit for Big Blue). Having visited the Seahawks, Patriots, and Saints, Peterson is still without a contract and is thought to be waiting until after the draft to find a new team. The 32-year-old reportedly looked “explosive” during a workout in New England, and may be willing to accept $5MM or less to play in the “right situation.”

Blount, meanwhile, hasn’t generated anything close to the market that has Peterson, as the only team that’s even remotely shown interest in Blount is Seattle. Although he reportedly had an offer on the table to return to New England, the Patriots’ dalliance with Bills restricted free agent back Mike Gillislee may change the status of that proposal. If Buffalo doesn’t match New England’s offer sheet to Gillislee and he heads to the Patriots, Blount likely will have lost his chance to re-sign with the defending Super Bowl champions.

The Giants did make one change to their running back corps this offseason, swapping out veteran Rashad Jennings for ex-49er Shaun Draughn, who signed a one-year deal. New York also boasts Paul Perkins, Shane Vereen, Orleans Darkwa, and George Winn in the backfield.

AFC East Rumors: Pats, Blount, Jets, Conley

The Patriotsoffer to running back LeGarrette Blount may not be on the table forever, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN.com. New England has met with other free agent backs in recent weeks, including Adrian Peterson, Damien Williams, and Mike Gillislee, perhaps in an effort to send a signal to Blount. Blount hasn’t generated any interest elsewhere, which is what he’d need to do in order to force the Patriots to up their proposal. As Reiss notes, the 2017 RB draft class is considered exceptionally strong, so Blount may want to ink a new contract with the Pats before the club selects a runner in the draft later this month.

Here’s more from the AFC East:

  • Ohio State cornerback Gareon Conley‘s previously-reported meeting with the Jets will take place on Monday, reports Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. While Conley has generally been viewed as a lesser prospect than his Buckeye teammate Marshon Lattimore, that perception may be changing. While Lattimore’s injury concerns are troubling, Conley is viewed as an extremely safe player, and may end up being the first cornerback off the board. New York could certainly use help in the secondary after releasing Darrelle Revis earlier this year.
  • Defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson isn’t garnering much interest on the trade market, meaning the Jets may have to hang onto him for the 2017 campaign, writes Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. Indianapolis may have been a logical trade partner, but the Colts probably aren’t in the Richardson hunt after signing Johnathan Hankins last week. Gang Green could still use Richardson as a trade chip on draft day, but as Cimini notes, the “clock is ticking” on any potential deal.
  • The Jets intend to re-sign recently-released linebacker Julian Stanford, and Stanford was aware of that when Gang Green cut ties last week, per Cimini. Stanford, 26, has bounced around the league since 2012, spending time with Detroit, Jacksonville, and New York. In 2016, Stanford appeared in nine games (two starts) for the Jets, playing on roughly a quarter of the club’s defensive snaps and a third of the team’s special steams snaps.