Leonard Fournette officially placed on trading block
By Gino Terrell
The Jacksonville Jaguars are currently in talks of shopping around Leonard Fournette via trade, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are looking to part ways with starting running back Leonard Fournette.
While trade rumors have surfaced about Fournette’s future in Jacksonville, it is official he is on the trade block. The Jaguars have been in talks with other teams shopping around Fournette, ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirmed via Twitter on Saturday.
Jaguars have had trade discussions with other teams regarding RB Leonard Fournette, league sources tell ESPN. Fournette is due $4.16 million in base salary in 2020. It's a situation that bears watching as this week's draft approaches.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 18, 2020
“Fournette is due $4.16 million in base salary in 2020. It’s a situation that bears watching as this week’s draft approaches,” Schefter wrote.
With Fournette’s salary being relatively affordable for his production, the Jaguars can use it as leverage to get more in return. For interested teams who are buying, Jaguars may be able to filp Fournette for a multiple draft picks with the 2020 NFL Draft ahead.
Earlier this week, Fournette confirmed he wasn’t too worried on whether or not the Jaguars would pick up his fifth-year option.
“Timing is everything. I don’t really try to bite on the money,” Fournette said in an interview on ESPN’s First Take Thursday. “It’s all about trying to have another successful season with my team.”
Former teammate Jalen Ramsey suggested on social media Fournette should play for another team with pieces to win. Fournette, however, confirmed he was content on making it work in Jacksonville.
Little did Fournette know the team would have his named involved in trade talks two days later.
The former LSU Tiger is entering his fourth year in the NFL. When healthy, he is an effective bell-cow running back. His rookie year, 2017, he helped lead the Jaguars to an AFC South division title as they finished 10-6 with quarterbacked by Blake Bortles at the helm. That season he rushed for 1,040 yards and nine touchdowns through 13 regular-season games played.
The 2018 season he was plagued with an injured hamstring. In 2019, he rebounded with another year rushing for over 1,000 yards while averaging a career-high 4.5 yards per carry.
With prospect running backs not generating much interests in this upcoming draft, Fournette’s value should be high.
Next. If Leonard Fournette is expendable, these teams need to call with a trade offer. dark