The New England Patriots are one of four teams interested in signing former Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew.
The Patriots, New York Jets, Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers are “in the hunt” to sign Jones-Drew, the New York Daily News’ Manish Mehta reported Monday. The Patriots are expected to meet with Jones-Drew’s agents in Orlando, Fla., at the NFL Annual Meeting this week.
Jones-Drew rushed for 803 yards on 234 carries with five touchdowns in 2013. He added 314 yards on 43 receptions through the air. Jones-Drew played in 15 games last season after missing 10 games in 2012 due to a foot injury. He’s a better receiving threat than Patriots free-agent running back LeGarrette Blount.
It wouldn’t be the first time the Patriots signed a former Jaguars All-Pro running back. New England signed Fred Taylor in 2009. He had 424 yards on 106 carries in 13 games over two seasons with the Patriots.
