The Patriots are signing free-agent working once more Ezekiel Elliott to a one-year contract worth as a lot as $6 million, a provide confirmed to the Boston Herald on Monday.
Elliott took a go to with the Patriots late ultimate month. Their depth has been examined behind starter Rhamondre Stevenson as Ty Montgomery and Pierre Robust have missed teaching camp practices. The group has needed dependable depth since letting Damien Harris stroll in free firm. The Patriots modified Harris with working once more James Robinson nonetheless launched him all through the spring.
Elliott joins Stevenson, Montgomery, Robust, Kevin Harris, J.J. Taylor and C.J. Marable throughout the Patriots’ working once more room. The Patriots don’t have an open spot on their roster and likewise are anticipated to sign free-agent linebacker Carson Wells, so corresponding strikes are needed. It’s attainable that the Patriots might launch a working once more to make room for Elliott.
The eighth-year veteran has been a free agent given that Dallas Cowboys reduce him March 15. The 2-time All-Professional and three-time Professional Bowl selection will perform useful, expert depth to create a two-headed monster with Stevenson throughout the Patriots’ backfield.
Robust, Harris and Taylor struggled to attain yards throughout the Patriots’ preseason opener Thursday in opposition to the Houston Texans, nonetheless that they had been working behind an inexperienced offensive line.
The Patriots leaned on Stevenson laborious ultimate season, giving him 210 carries for 1,040 yards with 5 touchdowns to associate with 69 catches for 421 yards with one different ranking. They often wish to separate their workload further on the place. It was unsurprising to see the Patriots prohibit Stevenson’s workload early in teaching camp given his significance to the group.
Elliott, 28, carried the ball 231 events for 876 yards with 12 touchdowns in 15 video video games with the Cowboys whereas sharing time with Tony Pollard ultimate season. Elliott can perform a three-down once more and is taken under consideration one in every of many greater transfer protectors amongst NFL working backs.
The Ohio State product is one 12 months far from his ultimate 1,000-yard advertising marketing campaign. He has 8,262 yards and 68 touchdowns on 1,881 occupation carries. He’s moreover added 305 occupation receptions for 2,336 yards with 12 touchdowns.
Elliott tweeted shortly after signing, “One 5, all the way in which reside ! @Patriots.”
Elliott wore No. 15 in school with the Buckeyes. Punter Corliss Waitman for the time being wears No. 15 with the Patriots, nonetheless totally different specialists double up on numbers with current offensive and defensive stars. Stevenson and kicker Chad Ryland for the time being share No. 38. Punter Bryce Baringer and outdoor linebacker Matt Judon share No. 9. Gamers can double up on numbers all through teaching camp, nonetheless that’s not allowed all through the widespread season.
The Patriots will journey to Inexperienced Bay for joint practices and a preseason sport with the Packers this week. They then head straight to Tennessee for joint practices and a preseason sport with the Titans.
It’s unclear when Elliott could be built-in into the offense. The Patriots are scheduled to depart for Inexperienced Bay on Tuesday.
The Patriots hosted free-agent working backs Leonard Fournette and Darrell Henderson on workouts ultimate month sooner than Elliott’s go to. The Patriots have nearly a month sooner than the widespread season begins to get Elliott acclimated into their new offensive system headed by offensive coordinator Invoice O’Brien.
The deal was first reported by NFL Media.