We all got hit with some shocking news Monday morning regarding the releasing of Leonard Fournette of the Jaguars. No we are not shocked that he is no longer playing in the sunshine state but shocked when it happen and how it happen
Fournette was released from the Jaguars with reports stating they couldn’t even receive a 7th round pick. Whether that is true we may never know but ultimately the Jaguars had enough of the big man so much that they cut his ass 2 weeks before the opener.
His tenure in Jax has come to a close so now the question is where does the former 4th overall pick land. There are plenty of appealing spots that make a lot of sense. I could see Fournette signing with the Rams. Although they have there back for the future with Akers, Fournette would fill a dynamic hole that was once covered by the great Todd Gurley as a short term option. I could also see Fournette staying put in Florida and taking the 3 hour drive to Tompa bay. While the backfield may be crowded, he would certainly be the top option for the win now Bucs.
While I can see either of those happening there is just one team that makes the most sense to me. Unfortunately it’s a team I despise and has ruined football for me for some time. That team would be the dreaded New England Patriots.
Let’s just think about it. This would be your typical Bill Belicheck move. Getting bang for your buck and running away with it. The Patriots clearly have several backs under contract and have vested heavily in past years in backs, something we are not accustomed to with Billy boy ( Michel 1st rounder in 2018, Harris 3rd round pick last year). But when it comes to Bill Beeeelichek (Cartman voice) he does whatever is necessary to put a winning product on the field.
Fournette deemed himself a pass catcher last season with a huge uptick in the category but he won’t have to be called into those duties with James White as the premier third down back. Fournette would be used to be the physical downhill threat in downs 1 and 2 to tire out your defense. Despite Tom Brady’s success with the Patriots, Belichick never abandoned the running game and expressed the importance of it.
The fit just seems right for the post era of Tom Brady. It’s a new look to the Patriots with Cam Newton under center and it would all but help the past All pro QB with another all pro running behind him.
From a fantasy football perspective I would love it a hell of a lot more then Fournette running in Jacksonville. Despite Brady gone from the Pats I still find myself seeing them being successful. The defense took some hits with individuals deciding to opt out to Covid but the Pats will still be a top 10 unit. With that being said this will aloe the Patriots to be in most games and shouldn’t be playing from behind, much of what the Jaguars will be doing for the 2020 season. Fournette a value with New England would make him a top 15 pick in you fantasy football leagues.