Week 4 at Denver Broncos
The Titans bottled up Leonard Fournette for most of the game last Thursday, outside of letting him bust free for a 69-yard scamper. It was quite the stat line for Fournette, who netted negative-three yards on his other 14 rushes. Without a healthy veteran on the roster to back him up, he’s become a bigger part of the Jacksonville passing attack, snagging a team-high six balls for 26 yards in the win. Fournette has yet to post a 100-yard rushing game this season and likely won’t on the road facing the No. 9 overall defense. Despite the tough matchup, he should remain in your starting lineup.
Week 3 vs. Tennessee Titans
In the one-point loss against the Texans last Sunday Leonard Fournette ran for 47 yards on 15 carries and caught four passes for 40 yards. He would’ve loved to have another foot, however, as his two-point attempt rush to win the game came up just short. With Gardner Minshew under center expect the Jaguars to continue to utilize Fournette, especially at home and on the short week. He should definitely remain in your starting lineup.
Week 2 at Houston Texans
In the opening week contest versus Kansas City, Leonard Fournette carried the ball 13 times for 66 yards and caught four passes for 28 yards. With the Jaguars behind early and trying to play catchup the entire afternoon, it limited their ground game. Now that rookie Gardner Minshew is under center, Fournette’s presence is that much more important. The Texans allowed nearly 150 rushing yards to the Saints on Monday night, so Fournette has to be a part of your starting lineup.
Week 1 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
During an injury-plagued ’18, Leonard Fournette ran for 439 yards and scored six total TDs. He’s healthy heading into the regular season and will be leaned upon heavily by the Jaguars. Fournette posted a season-high 28 carries in mid-November last season but failed to eclipse the 100-yard mark in any of the eight games he played. As long as Jacksonville doesn’t fall behind by multiple scores, expect to see him receive plenty of work in the opener, trying to limit the amount of time the Chiefs have the ball.
Fantasy Upside
After a brief period of uncertainty, it was decided Leonard Fournette would remain a Jaguar this season. Team officials met with the running back early this offseason to "clear the air and move forward together for 2019," NFL Network reported in January. In case you missed it, executive vice president Tom Coughlin directly called out Fournette in a statement after the team's Week 17 loss to the Texans. Adding to the tension, the team also voided the guarantees in Fournette's contract for leaving the bench to join a fight during a game against the Bills in Week 12. With the guarantees gone, the Jaguars could have cut Fournette with no financial repercussions. But they didn’t bring in anyone to threaten Fournette’s starting spot and new offensive coordinator John DeFilippo recently told reporters his plan involves a lot of the 2018 first-round pick. “We’re really looking forward to Leonard having a big year,” DeFilippo said. “I’m going to call it what it is: He’s going to be a major reason where our offense goes. I’m not going to sugarcoat that. Fournette needs to be a big part of this offense. The harder he works -- which he is right now -- that’s going to be not only good for our offense, but good for our team.”
Fantasy Downside
After crossing the 1,000-yard mark as a rookie, injuries and a suspension limited him to eight games and he only averaged 3.3 yards per carry when he was on the field. He finished with 624 yards and scored six total touchdowns on 155 touches.
2019 Bottom Line
His injury history (including the hamstring-related absences last season), a poor offensive line (which should improve this year) and questions at quarterback (which Nick Foles could answer), combine to make Fournette's draft value more appealing this summer than it was last year. Indeed, if Foles makes good on recent comments suggesting he'll be targeting Fournette as a receiver, it could add value to a player with just 58 career receptions to date.
Week 17 at Houston Texans
In the win at Miami, last Sunday Leonard Fournette led the Jags with 18 carries but for only 43 yards. He was able to score the team’s lone offensive TD though and caught three passes for 28 yards. Due to a sore hamstring, he missed the October game versus Houston and will have a tough matchup versus a strong Texans run defense.
Week 16 at Miami Dolphins
Last Sunday versus Washington Leonard Fournette rushed for 46 yards on 11 carries and caught three passes for 18 yards. In the past two weeks he’s totaled just 105 yards and no TDs. While Fournette is dealing with a foot injury he should be good to go on Sunday in Miami versus the Dolphins No. 31 run defense. Despite the Jaguars recent offensive woes, their workhorse should have a good day.
Week 15 vs. Washington Redskins
Leonard Fournette and the Jacksonville ground attack had trouble getting things going last Thursday at Tennessee. And, after the Jags fell behind by multiple scores, it led to the rushing game becoming an afterthought. Fournette had totaled over 100 yards in his previous three outings but rushed for just 36 yards on 14 carries in the loss to the Titans. Washington is 14th against the run, so expect a better performance from No. 27 on Sunday.
Week 14 at Tennessee Titans
After being suspended for last Sunday’s win over the Colts, Leonard Fournette will be back on the field at Tennessee on Thursday night. In the three games he’s played in since coming back from his hamstring injury, Fournette has totaled over 100 yards in each and scored five times, including twice a couple weeks ago at Buffalo. He missed the Week 3 game versus Tennessee when the Jaguars were held to just 87 yards on the ground but expect him to be the focal part of the Jacksonville offense in the rematch, especially with Cody Kessler under center.
Week 12 at Buffalo Bills
Facing a solid Pittsburgh run defense last Sunday, Leonard Fournette led the Jaguars with 28 carries for 95 yards and another TD – his third in two weeks. He also caught two passes for 46 yards in the last-second loss. Fournette’s hamstring appears just fine and he’ll continue to lead Jacksonville in touches. While he’ll be going against a Buffalo defense that allows just 100 yards per game on the ground, Fournette should definitely be part of your starting lineup.
