The Boston Globe's Ben Volin shared some interesting information regarding the Patriots and their actions at the NFL combine and during the offseason.
Volin notes that the Patriots are prodding around "top veteran free agents" at running back and listed Matt Forte, Chris Ivory, and Alfred Morris, and even highlighted two running backs that the team met at the combine.
The Patriots sat with California's Daniel Lasco and Northwestern's Dan Vitale. Lasco is a 6'0, 210 lbs running back with dynamite explosion. He runs a 4.46 40 yard dash and owns a 41.5 inch vertical and an 11'3" broad jump. While he's not going to be Dion Lewis in the open field, he owns the physicals of a perfect one-cut runner.
Lasco can catch, run, and pass block, collected 1,471 yards from scrimmage in 2014, but the team captain a hip injury derailed his final season.
Vitale is a beast at 6'1, 240 lbs, with a 4.60 40 yard dash, a 10'3" broad jump, and a 38.5 inch vertical. Check out Mike's draft prospect profile of Vitale here.
Volin notes that the Patriots understand that the offense was weak against the Broncos because they couldn't even pretend to run the ball, so you can be sure the team will dedicate some resources to address the position this offseason.
On a final note, Volin says that the Patriots are trying to get special teamer Nate Ebner back on the roster, but they're in no rush and hope to keep his salary as close to the minimum as possible.