2017 NFL Draft: Likeliest Landing Spots For Leonard Fournette

There is at least one universal agreement about the 2017 NFL draft. LSU running back Leonard Fournette will go in the 1st round and go early.

He is widely considered the best running back to come out of college since Adrian Peterson. Even more talented than Todd Gurley who went 10th overall to the Rams last year and made the Pro Bowl. Fournette has the tools from top to bottom. He runs with speed, power, vision and elusiveness. His bigger body makes it difficult to tackle him alone and almost impossible to do so with arms.

This is the type of horse a team can hitch their wagon to and win games with. It’s just a matter of figuring out whether he’ll be in the draft and which teams might pull the trigger. Fournette solves the first problem with his recent declaration on Twitter.

Then it becomes a matter of finding him a home. There are plenty of teams who would love to have him on their roster, but how many would grab him in the top 10. Examining the situation as it stands now, these three spots are the ones to watch.

Jacksonville Jaguars

This team has to find a way to take the ball out of the hands of Blake Bortles more often. He’s not doing nearly enough with it. The only way that’s possible is running the ball. Thus far T.J. Yeldon and Chris Ivory have been serviceable, but hardly game-changers. Unless the team is able to improve the offensive line, their best bet is to get a running back who can maximize even limited blocking. Fournette is one such rare type.

New York Jets

Matt Forte has proven to be a quality signing for the Jets, providing them a reliable option in the backfield. However, he’s also a limited one. He’s turning 31 next season. With a young quarterback, be it Bryce Petty or Christian Hackenberg or other set to take over they will need a long-term backfield presence to make the transition as easy as possible. Fournette would be the ideal solution, and getting to learn from Forte a big bonus.

Carolina Panthers

The offense for the Panthers is at its best when they are able to run the football. For the past couple years Jonathan Stewart has filled that role, easing pressure on Cam Newton. He has begun to creep up in age though and injuries remain an issue as well. Try to imagine just how ridiculous that attack could get with Fournette and Newton together in the same backfield. It’s a dream come true for any offensive coordinator.