Lan Larison

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

The Patriots secured a solid depth piece at running back with Lan Larison's three-year, $3.0M deal that earns a C+ CVI — a fair contract that reflects modest expectations for a reserve player. At just $1.0M annually with minimal guaranteed money ($0.2M), New England is essentially taking a low-risk flyer on a developmental back who can contribute on special teams and provide insurance behind their primary options. The contract structure heavily favors the team, with such limited guaranteed money that they can move on at virtually no cost if Larison doesn't develop as hoped. While his performance tier remains unclear, the Patriots are betting on his potential rather than proven production, which makes sense given the bargain-basement price point. This represents smart roster building — adding competition and depth at running back without handcuffing the franchise financially, giving Larison a legitimate shot to earn a larger role while maintaining complete flexibility for the organization.

Performance Analysis

Lan Larison profiles as a replacement-level running back at this stage of his career, earning a D+ performance grade that reflects the bare minimum of statistical contribution through his first NFL season. The lone bright spot in a sparse stat sheet is his receiving work, where he logged 9 receiving yards — a modest but tangible sign that he can be utilized in the passing game at the NFL level. The glaring weakness is sheer volume: one game played is not a meaningful sample, and the production that does exist doesn't hint at a player forcing his way onto the active roster with any urgency. At 24 years old and undrafted, Larison is firmly in camp-body territory, a depth piece competing for a roster spot rather than a player with a defined role in the offensive gameplan. The mediaFraming aligns squarely with the numbers — he operates well beneath the radar on a Patriots roster undergoing real transition, and beat writers aren't generating expectations around him in either direction. New England's recent activity, including adding skill position players and reshaping the roster heading into a season that begins in 135 days, only reinforces the likelihood that Larison's path to a 53-man spot runs through attrition and special teams versatility rather than offensive impact. Unless something changes dramatically in camp, he remains fringe roster consideration with neutral fan perception and limited upside in the current trajectory.

Current Sentiment

Lan Larison finds himself in the NFL's perception purgatory, earning a D grade from our Contract Value Index (CVI) analysis that reflects his status as a largely invisible depth piece in New England's backfield. Operating on a modest $1.0M salary, the Patriots running back exists well below the media radar, generating virtually no buzz from beat writers or national analysts who view him as little more than a camp body or emergency option. His complete absence from meaningful football discourse—whether positive coverage celebrating breakout potential or negative criticism of performance—speaks to the indifferent expectations surrounding his role in a Patriots organization focused on bigger-picture roster construction. The lack of fan engagement or media attention suggests Larison occupies that dreaded middle ground where players become roster footnotes rather than storylines. Without a significant performance surge or unexpected roster shake-up, he's destined to remain in the league's anonymous tier, where careers quietly unfold away from public scrutiny and his current perception reflects exactly that reality.