The New England Patriots are exploring the running back market.
While the Patriots emerged as a betting favorite to sign Dalvin Cook, they tried out two other free agents. Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Leonard Fournette and Darrell Henderson Jr. worked out with New England on Wednesday.
In addition to Leonard Fournette, the #Patriots also worked out free-agent RB Darrell Henderson Jr. today, per the wire.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 19, 2023
Fournette has two 1,000-yard rushing seasons under his belt and fueled the Tampa Bay Bay Buccaneers’ 2020 title run with 448 total yards and four touchdowns in four playoff games. However, the former No. 4 pick averaged just 3.5 yards per carry for Tampa Bay’s bottom-ranked rushing offense last season.
Henderson received a Super Bowl ring the year after Fournette. He scored eight touchdowns in 2021 while averaging 4.6 yards per run.
Yet the 25-year-old settled for 385 yards and three touchdowns on 87 touches last season.
New England can use another running back after Damien Harris defected to the Buffalo Bills. Rhamondre Stevenson is the only member of the current roster who tallied more than 100 rushing yards in 2022.
If Bill Belichick and Co. trust Stevenson to maintain a featured role in his third season, the Patriots can add Fournette and Henderson as a secondary depth piece. On the other hand, Cook would likely desire a prominent workload following four straight Pro Bowl seasons.