Should I Pickup Leonard Fournette? Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Outlook

Veteran running back Leonard Fournette was the fourth overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Fournette had an excellent college career, totaling 616 rushing attempts for 3,830 yards and 40 touchdowns in three years at LSU. He also had 41 receptions for 526 yards and a touchdown in college.

More importantly, the former Tigers star had an impressive rookie season, totaling 268 rushing attempts for 1,040 yards and nine touchdowns. The rookie also had 36 receptions on 48 targets for 302 yards and a touchdown in 2017. Unfortunately, Fournette struggled with the injuries the following year.

The former LSU star missed eight games in 2019, totaling only 133 rushing attempts for 439 yards and five touchdowns. After three years with the Jaguars, the veteran running back spent the past three seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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What Did Leonard Fournette Accomplish Last Season?

Fournette had 189 rushing attempts for 668 yards and three touchdowns in 2022. The former LSU star averaged only 3.5 yards per rushing attempt, the second-lowest of his career. Furthermore, he averaged only 41.8 rushing yards per contest.

However, the veteran running back played a critical role in the passing game. Fournette had 73 receptions on 83 targets for 523 receiving yards and three touchdowns. He set a career-high in receiving yards and touchdowns while nearly setting career-highs in receptions.

Should I Pickup Leonard Fournette?

The Buccaneers released Fournette in March at reportedly the running back’s request. Yet, the veteran didn’t receive a contract offer until today. The former LSU star is signing with the Buffalo Bills after passing his physical.

Some might think this move will crush James Cook’s fantasy value. Instead, Fournette’s signing will impact Latavius Murray, Damien Harris, and Josh Allen more.

Harris is on injured reserve with a neck injury. The Bills might keep him on injured reserve for the rest of the season. Meanwhile, Latavius Murray and Josh Allen have accounted for most of the goal-line rushing work this year. Fournette will likely replace Murray as the No. 2 running back on the depth chart and have a role at the goal line.

Fantasy players with flexibility should add Fournette and see how the backfield shakes out. Yet, the former LSU is not a must-add player.

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