Ezekiel Elliott Visits Patriots; Should Bills Pursue?

After the season-ending injury to Nyheim Hines, the Buffalo Bills could join the New England Patriots as suitors for Ezekiel Elliott.

The New England Patriots are continuing to bring in free-agent running backs on visits even after the start of training camp, with the latest being former Dallas Cowboys ball carrier Ezekiel Elliott. 

Elliott's visit to Foxboro comes amid an increasing belief that the New York Jets will sign top free-agent running back Dalvin Cook while the Buffalo Bills are still standing pat.

Running back has been a position that continues to be talked about as a need for the Bills heading into the season. Even though camp is underway, there is still chatter about the Bills potentially going into free agency and signing another back to bolster their running game. 

Since the end of the free agency period, when the Bills signed two veterans in Damien Harris and Latavius Murray to work alongside second-year back James Cook, they've sat back even after the season-ending injury to Nyheim Hines. 

But with Hines now out for the season after a jet ski accident, the Bills could use another signing to improve their now slimmed depth. So far, the Bills have shown restraint when it comes to pursuing the big-money options on the open market, like receiver DeAndre Hopkins and now even Cook. But with Elliott unlikely to command a big-time contract, he's a realistic option if the money is right. 

Elliott, the former No. 4 overall pick, hasn't created much buzz since being cut from the Cowboys until the news of his visit to Foxboro.

After a hot start to his career where Elliott was a three-time Pro Bowl and two-time All-Pro, he visibly started to slow down last season. The now seven-year veteran rushed for 876 yards and 12 touchdowns on 231 carries while averaging a career-low 3.8 yards per carry.

No, Elliott isn't the same player that used to be near the top of the league in rushing, but he could be another valuable veteran to have on the roster heading into the season, where the Bills will already be without one of their backs.

---

Thanks for reading our SI-powered coverage of your Buffalo Bills ... Bills Mafia!

Follow Harrison Reno on Twitter

Get your Buffalo game tickets from SI Tickets ... here!

You're a member of Bills Mafia hungry for more Buffalo coverage? Read here.