DETROIT – The Detroit Lions did not select a running back in the 2017 NFL Draft - but they may not be done building the backfield.
Yahoo Sports reports the Lions are one of two teams, with the Giants, looking at adding ex-New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount.
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Blount is a touchdown machine, leading the NFL in rushing touchdowns in 2016 with 18 touchdowns. He was 8th in the NFL in rushing with 1,161 yards.
Blount has 49 career touchdowns in 8 NFL seasons, the last two in New England, scoring 24 touchdowns.
Blount could the power back the Lions need to accompany their two agility backs, Theo Riddick and Ameer Abdullah.
Here's what the Yahoo report says:
The Lions may be the most obvious fit, with a stable of running backs who don’t bring the same physical mentality to first or second down. Detroit also has general manager Bob Quinn who was in the New England personnel ranks during Blount’s tenure with the Patriots. It means something to have Quinn calling the shots, especially after he watched Bill Belichick add Blount to the roster twice.
Beyond knowing the player, what might intrigue Quinn most is that Blount wasn’t booted from New England. The Patriots were interested in retaining him. The sticking point was cost. Belichick wasn’t anywhere close to paying Blount a deal with solid guaranteed money. Not with him turning 31 next season – and most certainly not after Blount showed the penchant for showing up overweight and ending up in the doghouse. New England saw Blount as a useful player, but only at the right price.