LeGarrette Blount has not exactly made his NFL career an easy one thanks to off-the-field issues clouding his success in recent years. The running back has had numerous run ins with the law and 2015 is proving to be no different. As the New England Patriots begin offseason workouts, the running back is already starting with one foot in hole after being suspended for the opening game of the regular season.
According to Pro Football Talk, Blount has been suspended after violating the league's substance abuse policy. The suspension was a result of an arrest back in 2014 for marijuana possession while Blount was a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The running back was released by the team and eventually picked up by the New England Patriots after his success with the team a season prior. Blount is set to return to the Patriots as potentially their starting running back, but this suspension might leave the Patriots searching for help.
The Patriots are already short in the ground game. The team let go of Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen making Blount very important with the team. However, Fansided.com brings up the idea that the Patriots could see this as another red flag and dump Blount's salary to use elsewhere on the roster. The Patriots have been eyeing running backs in free agency, bringing in players like Reggie Bush. They could easily re-sign someone like Ridley for cheap and draft a younger player for help.
If the Patriots wanted to add a running back to the roster in free agency, they missed their shot. All that is left on the market right now is aging veterans and players like Ridley, Pierre Thomas and Knowshon Moreno. The pickings are very slim. Regardless of whether or not Blount stays with the team, they need bodies and might turn to the draft to pick someone up.
New England has not been linked to any draft visits with running backs. The team did take a look at free agency options, but has not eyed any rookies. The Patriots could easily make a move in an early round for players like Todd Gurley, TJ Yeldon or Melvin Gordon. New England is relatively weak at the running back spot anyways. Outside of Blount, they have Brandon Bolden, Jonas Gray and James White. They are all relative unknowns and the Patriots would be wise to bring in someone for the future.