Jacksonville Jaguars select Leonard Fournette
With the fourth-overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars selected Leonard Fournette out of the University of LSU.
Few running backs have come into the draft with years of hype the way Fournette has. After having an incredible sophomore campaign that almost ended up with the Heisman Trophy (he was a finalist), Fournette came back and dominated as a junior — when healthy.
An ankle injury slowed the big man, but he still earned second-team All-SEC honors in a conference that included the likes of Nick Chubb, Bo Scarborough and others. Fournette rushed for almost 3,000 yards over his first two seasons at LSU and despite only playing in seven games in 2016, ran for 843 yards. Over his past two campaigns, Fournette averaged 6,5 yards per carry in the nation’s best defensive conference, while amassing 40 touchdowns for his career on the ground.
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 240
40-time: 451
Bench: N/A
Vertical: 28.5”
Broad: N/A
3-cone: N/A
If there is any concern, it is the durability of a player who has taken a pounding in college. At 240 pounds, Fournette is going to be a bruising back, but in return will take his licks. It remains to be seen if Fournette can give a great career running like that, or if his body will betray him.
Next: 2017 NFL Draft instant grades
Still, he has the speed and athleticism to lessen some hits and run over would-be defenders. He’s one of the rare running backs worth taking at the top of the first round.