It appears the Jets' courtship of Dalvin Cook has created a legs race in the AFC East.
The Patriots are hosting three-time Pro Bowler and one-time All-Pro Ezekiel Elliott on Saturday, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports. Cook and Elliott are considered the top players still available in a stagnant free-agent running back market.
Elliott would fill a need for New England, but at 28, his usage would be a question. The Patriots have also expressed interest in Cook, but signs are pointing toward him signing with their division mates in New York.
MORE: Titans' Derrick Henry explains why he started RB group chat over contracts
As the running back situation in the NFL remains unresolved, teams are doing their homework on 28-plus players (Cook will be 28 in August). It's possible nothing will come to fruition between Elliott and New England until Cook's situation is resolved and the former Vikings star puts pen to paper with the Jets.
Ezekiel Elliott stats
Elliott had a prolific career with the Cowboys. His 8,262 rushing yards are third in franchise history behind Emmitt Smith and Tony Dorsett.
| Year | G | Att | Yds | Y/A | TD | Rec | Yds | Y/C | TD | Fmb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 15 | 322 | 1631 | 5.1 | 15 | 32 | 363 | 11.3 | 1 | 5 |
| 2017 | 10 | 242 | 983 | 4.1 | 7 | 26 | 269 | 10.3 | 2 | 1 |
| 2018 | 15 | 304 | 1434 | 4.7 | 6 | 77 | 567 | 7.4 | 3 | 6 |
| 2019 | 16 | 301 | 1357 | 4.5 | 12 | 54 | 420 | 7.8 | 2 | 3 |
| 2020 | 15 | 244 | 979 | 4.0 | 6 | 52 | 338 | 6.5 | 2 | 6 |
| 2021 | 17 | 237 | 1002 | 4.2 | 10 | 47 | 287 | 6.1 | 2 | 1 |
| 2022 | 15 | 231 | 876 | 3.8 | 12 | 17 | 92 | 5.4 | 0 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 103 | 1881 | 8262 | 4.4 | 68 | 305 | 2336 | 7.7 | 12 | 22 |
MORE: Dalvin Cook says odds are 'pretty high' he signs with Jets
Elliott was a face of the franchise during his Cowboys tenure after being drafted out of Ohio State, but his carries per game had been dropping since 2017 before jumping to 15.4 in 2022. Elliott's durability has been commendable, but teams are clearly wary of him hitting a wall.
Patriots RB depth chart
The Patriots traditionally deploy a running back committee, and Rhamondre Stevenson is the current No. 1 option.
After Stevenson, it's Ty Montgomery, Pierre Strong Jr. and Kevin Harris. Damian Harris has moved on to the Bills, leaving a void in the RB room.
| Player | Experience |
| Rhamondre Stevenson | 2 |
| Ty Montgomery | 8 |
| Pierre Strong Jr. | 1 |
| Kevin Harris | 1 |
The Patriots' most experienced back, Montgomery, is a wide receiver. Elliott would clearly help in that area.