Leonard Fournette – Running Back – LSU
LSU standout running back Leonard Fournette has been possibly the most dynamic offensive weapon in college football during each of the last three seasons. At 6-foot-1, 230 pounds, he has the size of a large wide receiver, coupled with the speed and elusiveness of a quick running back. Think Minnesota Vikings back Adrian Peterson-style athleticism.Although the Jets’ backfield situation is pretty locked down right now with veteran Matt Forte and third down back Bilal Powell, Maccagnan’s talent-first draft methodology could push him to select Fournette if he’s available. That’s especially possible given that in his first draft with New York, he chose defensive end Leonard Williams when he fell to the sixth pick, even with the Jets’ already stout defensive line in place.
Any team, regardless of whoever else they may have on the roster, would be ecstatic to have a guy like Fournette. Last season, he broke out onto the national scene with nearly 2,000 yards rushing and 22 touchdowns – even throwing in 19 receptions for 253 yards and a touchdown.
Although he’s had some injury issues in 2016, he has still posted 843 yards, 6.5 yards/carry, eight touchdowns and another 15 catches. Fournette is not what scouts would call a “receiving back”, but he does have above average hands, further lengthening his impressive resume.
So although the Jets already rank 11th in the NFL in rushing yards/game and ninth in yards/carry, adding Fournette into the mix with Forte and Powell would make them even better and possibly the most dangerous running team in the league.
