LeGarrette Blount

The Giants are reportedly still in the mix for free agent running back LeGarrette Blount.

(Reinhold Matay | USA TODAY Sports)

Giants general manager Jerry Reese said he was not ruling out the addition of a veteran running back despite landing Clemson's Wayne Gallman in the NFL Draft.

They may not have just been GM-speak.

The Giants remain "squarely in play" to sign veteran back LeGarrette Blount, according to Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson. The Giants and Lions are said to be the suitors for Blount, who will not return to the Patriots in 2017 after rushing for over 1,000 yards and a league-leading 18 touchdowns for the Super Bowl champions last year.

However, while the addition of Gallman in the fourth round may not rule the Giants out for Blount, it could hinder their chances. The Lions did not draft a running back, and Robinson says they may be the most logical landing spot for Blount due to that, and other reasons.

From Robinson's report:

The Lions may be the most obvious fit, with a stable of running backs who don't bring the same physical mentality to first or second down. Detroit also has general manager Bob Quinn who was in the New England personnel ranks during Blount's tenure with the Patriots. It means something to have Quinn calling the shots, especially after he watched Bill Belichick add Blount to the roster twice.

Money was the sticking point in New England, Robinson says, but Blount's market is not terribly strong after the draft. That reality should soften Blount's demands and allow the Lions or Giants to land the team-friendly deal the Patriots were seeking before deciding to move on.

Blount is expected to sign somewhere in time for the start of organized team activities, according to Robinson. OTAs begin in a few weeks.

For what it's worth, Giants coach Ben McAdoo declared second-year back Paul Perkins the team's starter on Monday, some seven months before Week 1 in Dallas.

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James Kratch may be reached at jkratch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JamesKratch. Find our Giants coverage on Facebook.