The New England Patriots did everything they could not to bring back RB LeGarrette Blount. They signed Donald Brown and gave him a ton of guaranteed money. They chased after former Jets RB Chris Ivory, and eventual Jets signings Matt Forte and Bilal Powell.
After getting outpriced on all the top options during the initial wave of free agency, the Patriots added Blount in the middle of April to a cheap 1-year, $1 million contract with up to $1 million in incentives for a Pro Bowl nod and for rushing yard milestones.
With one game left, Blount has reached $750,000 in incentives after hitting all of the rushing marks, but his league-leading 17 rushing touchdowns weren’t enough to make the Pro Bowl and earn his final $250,000.
Still, Blount has been the best offensive signing, and the second-best steal in free agency, according to NFL agent Joel Corry.
“Blount languished on the open market for about month before returning to the Patriots on a one-year, $1-million deal worth up to $2 million through incentives,” Corry writes. “He was named AFC Offensive Player of the Month for September because he helped keep the Patriots afloat with a 3-1 record while Tom Brady served his four game Deflategate suspension. Blount has a career high 1,110 rushing yards, which is eighth-most in the NFL. He also has a league-leading 17 rushing touchdowns. Blount has nearly doubled his 2016 compensation by earning $750,000 of his incentives for reaching the 1,100 rushing yard mark.”
Blount edged out Texans RB Lamar Miller and Ravens WR Mike Wallace for top offensive signing, but ranked 2nd behind Bills ED Lorenzo Alexander for biggest free agency steal.
Corry also thinks Patriots TE Martellus Bennett was the second-best trade acquisition this year.
Who do you think was the Patriots biggest and/or best addition this past offseason?