LeGarrette Blount, New York Giants have 'mutual interest'

April 25 (UPI) -- A source familiar with the situation says that there is "mutual interest" between free agent running back LeGarrette Blount and the New York Giants.

The NFL Network reported Tuesday that the Giants originally thought Blount would return to the Super Bowl champions. But the New England Patriots have since bulked up its running back stable with the signings of Mike Gillislee and Rex Burkhead, making the outlook murky for the eight-year veteran. The Patriots also have Dion Lewis and Super Bowl hero James White in its backfield.

ESPN confirmed the Giants' interest in Blount.

The Patriots previously made Blount an offer, but he declined to sign the deal. Blount played for $1 million last season.

Blount led the NFL with 18 rushing touchdowns last season. The Giants have a total of 11 rushing scores in the last two seasons. The G-Men cut veteran Dancing With the Stars contestant Rashad Jennings in February and currently have Paul Perkins atop its depth chart.

The New Orleans Saints were another franchise eyeing a running back, but that interest ended when it agreed to a two-year deal with Adrian Peterson Tuesday morning.

Un-retired All-Pro Marshawn Lynch remains the last decorated veteran back unsigned before Thursday's NFL Draft. He has been negotiating with the Oakland Raiders now for weeks.

Blount's only other season with at least 1,000 rushing yards came during his rookie campaign for the 2010 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Since then, he had failed to eclipse 781 yards on the ground until his breakout 1,161-yard campaign in 2016. He also played briefly for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2014, before returning to the Patriots in 2015.

Jennings led the Giants with 593 rushing yards and three scores last season while Perkins plowed for 456 yards and didn't score any touchdowns in the pass-happy offense.

Blount has the same agent as Giants star Odell Beckham, Jr., under Elite Athlete Management.

According to NJ.com, the Giants have $9,483,626 in salary cap room.