The Jacksonville Jaguars have drafted running back Leonard Fournette with pick No. 4 in the 2017 NFL Draft. Fournette joins a backfield that includes Chris Ivory, T.J. Yeldon, and Corey Grant.
2017 NFL draft results: Fantasy implications of Leonard Fournette to the Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars have drafted Leonard Fournette in the 2017 NFL draft. We break down the fantasy implications
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The bulldozing back out of LSU was regarded as the top running back in this year’s draft. He’ll now be expected to take on the majority of touches in this offense, making him a RB1 candidate as a rookie. Fournette does the bulk of his damage between the tackles, but he’ll consistently churn out good gains and convert most of his goal-line carries into scores. He was arguably the best player in college football in 2015, but an injury-plagued 2016 campaign caused his stock to drop coming into this draft. Expect him to rebound with a big rookie season in Jacksonville.
Fantasy Impact: Ivory and Yeldon combined for 904 rushing yards and four touchdowns. The Jaguars signed Ivory through 2020, but there is almost no chance he lasts on this roster beyond the 2017 season. Ivory might be the courtesy starter to start training camp, but Fournette will be the starting running back all season, barring any injury.
The Jaguars offense has numerous other issues, but it should not stop Fournette from putting together at least a solid RB2 season as a rookie. He will be drafted on the low end of the RB1 scale, and it is not crazy to think he has a strong enough year to justify that. In dynasty leagues, he will be off the board very quickly in the first round.
