The Tampa Bay Buccaneers re-signed LeGarrette Blount to a one-year, $1.75 million contract Saturday, with a a $1.25 million base salary. CBSSports.com's Jason La Canfora reported the Bucs would like to trade the running back before the draft and hope for a mid-round pick in return.
The Detroit Lions might be that trade partner, according to La Canfora.
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Reports have the Lionsshowing major interest in Reggie Bush as they attempt to replace Jahvid Best and bolster the NFL's 23rd-ranked running game. Blount, however, seems an odd fit, considering the Lions are looking for a speedy, shifty back who can be active in the passing game. Blount is a bruiser, though he did rush for 1,000 yards as a rookie. The Lions haven't had a 1,000-yard rusher since Kevin Jones in 2004.
If the Lions add Blount, that can't be a good sign for Mikel Leshoure. He rushed for 798 yards and nine touchdowns in 2013, but he missed all of his rookie year and two games in 2013 because of injury. Both he (6-foot, 227 pounds) and Blount (6-1, 245) are physical runners who are not pass-catchers.
Blount on the Lions doesn't make much sense unless they plan to sign him to an extension and have given up on Leshoure, who was a second-round draft pick in 2011.
Follow Kareem Copeland on Twitter @kareemcopeland.
