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3 challenges the Jaguars will face in 2018

By Joe D'Aloisio

FOXBOROUGH, MA - JANUARY 21: Blake Bortles No. 5 of the Jacksonville Jaguars throws in the first quarter of the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 21, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA - JANUARY 21: Blake Bortles No. 5 of the Jacksonville Jaguars throws in the first quarter of the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 21, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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FOXBOROUGH, MA – JANUARY 21: Leonard Fournette #27 of the Jacksonville Jaguars celebrates with Marqise Lee #11 after a touchdown in the second quarter during the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 21, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA – JANUARY 21: Leonard Fournette #27 of the Jacksonville Jaguars celebrates with Marqise Lee #11 after a touchdown in the second quarter during the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 21, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

2. Can Leonard Fournette carry the load

Last season, Leonard Fournette carried the ball 268 times for 1,040 yards and nine touchdowns. The rookie back became the first player to eclipse the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the Jaguars since 2011, when Maurice Jones-Drew rushed for 1,606 and won the rushing title.

Fournette also contributed in the passing game catching 36 passes for 302 yards and one score. His 36 receptions was fourth most on the team, just three behind Hurns who caught 39 passes.

The former LSU standout proved his toughness and speed would translate perfectly fine in the NFL, however he did experience some hiccups. Fournette only played in 13 regular season games because of injury. In his final season at LSU he aggravated his ankle a few times and it caused him to miss several games.

After such a successful rookie campaign, it’s only natural to expect the Jaguars to give Fournette a heavier workload. In addition, Chris Ivory, who had over 100 carries last season is no longer with Jacksonville and signed with the Buffalo Bills. Even though T.J. Yeldon is still on the team, Fournette will still get a majority of the carries Ivory would have gotten.

There are high expectations surrounding Fournette to replicate his successful rookie season, but giving him the ball more may cause more harm than good.

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