Poll: Where Will LeGarrette Blount Play In 2017?

LeGarrette Blount may have led the league with 18 rushing touchdowns last season, but the running back is still out of a job. The veteran’s big season was more based on opportunity than talent, as his 3.9-yards-per-carry was certainly underwhelming. Still, there’s presumably a handful of teams that could use a bruising running back of Blount’s caliber… but when will those teams finally make an offer?

We learned several weeks ago that both the Lions and Giants had expressed interest in the 30-year-old. Detroit is counting on Ameer Abdullah to be their main guy next season, with Theo Riddick serving as the team’s third-down back and Zach Zenner and Dwayne Washington waiting in the wings. However, the 250-pound Blount would certainly provide a change of pace from the 190-pound Abdullah.

Meanwhile, New York’s depth chart currently features Paul Perkins, Shaun Draughn, Shane Vereen, and Orleans Darkwa. Much like the Lions, there are several intriguing names, but also like the Lions, no one fits Blount’s unique body type.

This interest was slightly complicated when the Patriots assigned the rare May 9 tender to the veteran. Thanks to the designation, a Blount departure would now count towards the compensatory draft pick formula. However, any signing team would only be required to sacrifice a compensatory pick if the contract exceeds $2.05MM. Considering Blount barely made over $1MM last season, that’s probably unlikely.

Following this designation, it was reported that two teams were “poised” to work out a contract with Blount, but the tender apparently caused them to pause. We could assume that these two mystery teams were the Lions and Giants, but the two organizations wouldn’t have any reason to back out of negotiations. For starters, Detroit doesn’t have any projected compensatory picks in 2018. The Giants do have a fourth-rounder, but there’s surely a way that the organization could sign Blount and keep that compensatory pick.

If Blount doesn’t sign the tender by July 22, New England will own his exclusive negotiating rights through Week 10. If the running back refuses to sign the tender, he’ll have to sit out the entire 2017 season. In this situation, it would make sense for the running back to return to the Patriots, although the team’s running back corps is rather crowded. The team already added Rex Burkhead and Mike Gillislee to a depth chart that includes James White and Dion Lewis.

Our own Zach Links previously explored the top-eight fits for Blount, with Detroit and New York leading the way. The article also noted that the running back could find a gig with the Packers, Ravens, Dolphins, Chiefs, Redskins, and Eagles.

So there seems to be three clear scenarios: Blount signs with a new team, Blount signs with the Patriots, or Blount sits out the 2017 season. How do you see it unfolding? Where do you think LeGarrette Blount will be playing next season? Let us know what you think in the comments.