The Patriots are signing free-agent working again Ezekiel Elliott to a one-year contract value as much as $6 million, a supply confirmed to the Boston Herald on Monday.
Elliott took a go to with the Patriots late final month. Their depth has been examined behind starter Rhamondre Stevenson as Ty Montgomery and Pierre Strong have missed coaching camp practices. The group has wanted reliable depth since letting Damien Harris stroll in free company. The Patriots changed Harris with working again James Robinson however launched him throughout the spring.
Elliott joins Stevenson, Montgomery, Strong, Kevin Harris, J.J. Taylor and C.J. Marable within the Patriots’ working again room. The Patriots don’t have an open spot on their roster and likewise are anticipated to signal free-agent linebacker Carson Wells, so corresponding strikes are wanted. It’s attainable that the Patriots may launch a working again to make room for Elliott.
The eighth-year veteran has been a free agent for the reason that Dallas Cowboys minimize him March 15. The two-time All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowl choice will function beneficial, skilled depth to create a two-headed monster with Stevenson within the Patriots’ backfield.
Strong, Harris and Taylor struggled to achieve yards within the Patriots’ preseason opener Thursday in opposition to the Houston Texans, however they had been working behind an inexperienced offensive line.
The Patriots leaned on Stevenson laborious final season, giving him 210 carries for 1,040 yards with 5 touchdowns to go together with 69 catches for 421 yards with one other rating. They sometimes like to separate their workload extra on the place. It was unsurprising to see the Patriots restrict Stevenson’s workload early in coaching camp given his significance to the group.
Elliott, 28, carried the ball 231 occasions for 876 yards with 12 touchdowns in 15 video games with the Cowboys whereas sharing time with Tony Pollard final season. Elliott can function a three-down again and is taken into account one of many higher move protectors amongst NFL working backs.
The Ohio State product is one 12 months faraway from his final 1,000-yard marketing campaign. He has 8,262 yards and 68 touchdowns on 1,881 profession carries. He’s additionally added 305 profession receptions for two,336 yards with 12 touchdowns.
Elliott tweeted shortly after signing, “One Five, all the way live ! @Patriots.”
Elliott wore No. 15 in faculty with the Buckeyes. Punter Corliss Waitman at the moment wears No. 15 with the Patriots, however different specialists double up on numbers with present offensive and defensive stars. Stevenson and kicker Chad Ryland at the moment share No. 38. Punter Bryce Baringer and outdoors linebacker Matt Judon share No. 9. Players can double up on numbers throughout coaching camp, however that’s not allowed throughout the common season.
The Patriots will journey to Green 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 might be built-in into the offense. The Patriots are scheduled to depart for Green Bay on Tuesday.
The Patriots hosted free-agent working backs Leonard Fournette and Darrell Henderson on exercises final month earlier than Elliott’s go to. The Patriots have almost a month earlier than the common season begins to get Elliott acclimated into their new offensive system headed by offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien.
The deal was first reported by NFL Media.
Source: www.bostonherald.com