Just one more game on the schedule. That’s the situation for LSU’s famed running back Leonard Fournette as he officially announced Monday that he will forego his senior season and declare for the NFL Draft. He will play in this year’s Citrus Bowl against Louisville and then enter the 2017 pick ’em with a ton of warranted hype. He’ll likely be one of the top two running backs selected alongside Florida State’s Dalvin Cook. We feel Leo will likely go well ahead of Dalvin but his injury resume could be a bit of a concern. Let’s take a look now at some possible suitors for the young back.
HOW HIGH WILL LSU STANDOUT RUNNING BACK LEONARD FOURNETTE GO IN THE 2017 NFL DRAFT
Leo Fournette’s draft stock isn’t quite as high as it was this time last year but he’s still among the elite. To be honest, when it comes to running backs in this year’s draft, he is the elite. Leo tallied 2,987 yards and 33 touchdowns through his first two years at LSU. This season he’s mustered just one touchdown and 843 yards but he’s also been battling the injury bug. Fournette missed four games this season with a persisting ankle injury but has persevered and will start for LSU in this year’s Citrus Bowl against Louisville.
Now that we’ve broken down the speedy and crafty back, let’s take a look at some of the teams that would be looking to add a back of his quality.
At present time, WalterFootball.com is projecting the Cleveland Browns to have the first overall selection followed by the San Francisco 49ers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Chicago Bears and New York Jets. They’re also projecting that Fournette will fall to fifth overall to call New York home next season. We like the order but we don’t quite see the draft going that way.
#1 – Cleveland Browns – Will Pass on Fournette
The Cleveland Browns could definitely use Leo Fournette. With that said though, the Cleveland Browns could use a lot of things. We don’t see running back as a high priority item in the Dawg Pound at the present time. Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson seem to be holding the fort. One year ago, sure Fournette could’ve been a fit. Crowell has finally started to generate some numbers though. The Browns are also still very hesitant to draft a running back after the whole Trent Richardson thing back in 2012. That scarred them heavily.
#2 – San Francisco 49ers – Will Pass on Fournette
While the 49ers could use a play maker on their team, Carlos Hyde seems to be holding down the job for the present time. Hyde has the size and can produce on the ground, even though his inconsistencies seem to be getting more consistent. With that said, offense is a high priority for the second to last ranked team in passing yards per game (182.2, 181.5 – Buffalo Bills), so expect the Niners to look for a highlight reel quarterback before they look to the ground game. Some possible suitors this year will be Mitch Trubinsky (North Carolina), DeShone Kizer (Notre Dame) and Deshaun Watson (Clemson).
#3 – Jacksonville Jaguars – Will DRAFT Leonard Fournette
Yes, we’re predicting Jacksonville will pull the trigger. Although WallyFootball.com predicts he’ll fall to number five and the Jags will look for a defensive end, we think they’ll go offensive. They went defense heavy in the draft last year with Jalen Ramsey and Myles Jack. They also welcomed back 2014 first rounder Dante Fowler Jr and free agent signing Malik Jackson this season as well – so their D is decent. Their offense, however, is abysmal.
Now there is a good chance they’ll look for a quarterback and have given up on Blake Bortles. There’s a better chance though that they’ve given up on TJ Yeldon and Chris Ivory. Their running game this year has not panned out and currently sits 22nd in the league for yards per game overall with 101.1.
Fournette would be a welcome sight and would likely be preferred over Dalvin Cook. Although Cook is a Florida State man, they were burned once going for the hometown kid in the draft with Blake Bortles in 2014 out of Central Florida. This team is slowly building and once they take the high flying Fournette, they’ll look for offensive line help – something that Leo has become accustomed to at Louisiana State.
This kid could definitely be the next big thing and the Jags would be extremely lucky to have him.
