Once the NFL Draft wraps up each year, the real negotiating begins. Despite seven rounds of selections, there’s still plenty of talent left, and teams dive into the undrafted free agent (UDFA) market with their own priority lists. That was certainly true for the Patriots this spring.
The challenge arises when multiple teams have the same players on their radar — at that point, it’s up to the player to decide where to go. While opportunity plays a role, financial incentives often weigh heavier. With rising costs for top-tier players, it’s in a team’s best interest to find value by securing contributors among UDFAs.
That’s why the bidding process is logical. According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, the Patriots had to outbid others to secure a key UDFA signing: UC Davis running back Lan Larison.
Reiss reports that New England offered Larison a $175,000 guarantee to bring him on board.
Patriots Need RB Depth
Wrote Reiss: “Of the 17 undrafted free agents the Patriots agreed to contracts with, UC Davis running back Lan Larison has one of the richest deals as he received $175,000 in guaranteed money. That reflects how the Patriots likely had competition from other teams to land Larison, a dual threat who finished his college career with 641 carries for 3,634 yards and 41 touchdowns, and 127 receptions for 1,626 yards and 10 TDs.”
Larison has a solid chance of making the Patriots’ roster during training camp. Even though the team selected TreVeyon Henderson in the second round last month, the running back depth remains limited, with Rhamondre Stevenson leading the group and only third-down specialist Antonio Gibson behind him.
The Patriots do have additional options in the backfield, such as fellow undrafted rookie Terrell Jennings and incoming fullback Brock Lampe. Still, the significant investment in Larison suggests the team has clear plans for him — if he doesn’t make the 53-man roster, he’s likely to land a spot on the practice squad.
Lan Larison Has ‘Impressive Tape’
Larison ran for 1,470 yards and scored 17 touchdowns for the Aggies last season. He also caught 65 passes, adding another 865 receiving yards to his totals.
According to NFL.com’s scouting report, Larison could be a strong fit under new head coach Mike Vrabel.
From the site’s scout, Lance Zierlein: “FCS running back who offers a diverse skill set and two years of impressive tape to sift through. Larison runs hard, cuts sharply on the second level and has good balance through contact. However, he has average vision and lacks ideal creativity between the tackles.
“He has pro ball skills and protection talent but needs to tighten up his route-running to bolster his chances of beating man coverage as a pro. Larison could be deployed as a Swiss Army Knife type or a third-down back in the NFL. His toughness, talent and versatility give him a good chance of becoming a productive backup in the league.”
