Patriots host big name running back on visit (source)

The Patriots are hosting a high profile running back on a visit Saturday, but it’s not Dalvin Cook.

Three-time Pro Bowler Ezekiel Elliott is in town to meet with the team, a source confirmed to MassLive’s Mark Daniels. The long-time Cowboys running back is still just 28 years old, but has been sitting in free agency all summer. The Score’s Jordan Schultz was first with the news of the visit.

Elliott would address a need, as the Patriots are thin at the position behind Rhamondre Stevenson. Ty Montgomery is already banged up, and second-year backs Pierre Strong and Kevin Harris are both unproven at this point. However, Elliott is coming off the least productive season of his career, averaging 3.8 yards per carry as he racked up 867 yards on 231 attempts.

The Patriots have already brought in Leonard Fournette and Darrell Henderson for visits this summer, and have shown interest in Cook, too, so they’re clearly in the marketplace. Cook could be off the market soon though. The Jets are reportedly hot in pursuit, and on NFL Network Friday morning, the back was asked what the chances were that he’d end up in New York.

“I think they’re pretty high,” Cook said on Good Morning Football. “I think we’re in the position of a team that’s building something special, and I want to be part of something special as a player. And I want to add to whatever they got going on. I think the possibility is high, right now, of getting things done.”