Eagles sign LeGarrette Blount: Grade the deal

Now that there’s been time to react to the Eagles’ signing of LeGarrette Blount, it’s time to put it to a vote: do you approve of the deal? Here’s a look at some of the positives and negatives of the trade.

Positives

• Fills an immediate need with a proven player
• Gives the Eagles a different kind of running back (power guy) they don’t already have
• Had 18 touchdowns in 2016
• Only a one-year deal
• Didn’t have to give up assets in a trade by signing him

Negatives

• Only averaged 3.9 yards per carry last year
• Patriots players often don’t play well after leaving New England
• Not a perfect scheme fit; useless as a pass catcher
• How much gas does he have left in the tank? Turns 31 this season

Here’s how you, the readers, have graded the Blount signing so far. [Click here to vote in our poll.]

That looks about right to me. I’d give this signing a B+ grade. It’s a deal that doesn’t carry a lot of risk yet addresses a major position of need.

As I’ve said before, I really wanted the Eagles to exit the 2017 NFL Draft with a new lead running back. It’s basically the biggest thing I cared about. I hated how the 2016 Eagles didn’t have a true dependable lead back. The lack of such a presence put way too much pressure on Carson Wentz to throw the ball a near-record amount of times for a rookie.

Blount isn’t the long-term answer the Eagles need but he’s an effective veteran who can handle a heavy load of carries. He figures to be a nice lead presence in the Eagles’ versatile running back by committee approach. Blount will grind out some of the tough yards before the Eagles bring in the likes of Darren Sproles, Donnel Pumphrey, and Wendell Smallwood to change things up. The latter three players will also be able to contribute in Philadelphia’s passing attack.

Overall, pretty good signing that provides some relief when thinking about the Eagles’ 2017 running back situation.