Week 7 at Indianapolis Colts
Fournette is out of action this week with the foot injury suffered last week against the Rams. Chris Ivory gets a big bump.
Week 6 vs. L.A. Rams
Leonard Fournette broke free for a 90-yard touchdown run late in the game last week to put the cherry on top of a 28-carry, 181-yard game with 2 scores. The workload and yards were career-highs. He's really not going to give you a lot receiving because, well, the Jags would prefer not to throw the ball, but the Rams struggle in all aspects against opposing running backs, which is why they rank dead last stopping opposing backs. Fournette is a must start in all formats.
Week 5 at Pittsburgh Steelers
Fournette got 24 carries last week, the second time this season he's received 20+ carries, and he responded with 84 yards rushing. He added 4 catches for 59 yards and a touchdown, giving him a touchdown in four straight games. He faces a Pittsburgh defense that is great against the pass but just average against the run. If the Jaguars can keep this game close, Fournette will be solid given his workload. If they fall behind, he'll be touchdown-dependent. Pittsburgh has given up three rushing TDs to running backs. Fournette should be good to go as an RB1.
Week 4 at N.Y. Jets
Leonard Fournette scored a rushing touchdown for the third consecutive week and had 59 yards on 17 carries, while adding 3 catches for 21 yards. He's found a way to be productive each week and faces a Jets defense that had been awful the first two weeks—allowing 3 RB touchdowns—until holding Baltimore's backs to 21 yards on 14 carries last week. Be wary of tired legs in a road game after coming back from London. But outside of that, Fournette should be counted on as an RB1.
Week 3 vs. Baltimore Ravens (game in London)
Leonard Fournette got into the end zone for the second straight week to salvage a day in which he was held to 40 yards on 14 carries. He also had 2 receptions for 21 yards, giving him a solid 61 total yards on 16 touches. You can bet the Jaguars will try to get him 20+ carries against an opportunistic Ravens defense. The Ravens have allowed 75 and 58 yards rushing to opposing backs in the first two weeks. It could be tough sledding for Fournette, but his volume should make him a high-end RB2 this week.
Week 2 vs. Tennessee Titans
Leonard Fournette picked up 100 yards on 26 carries and scored a touchdown on the ground, while adding 24 yards on 3 catches. The Jaguars seem intent on using their young running back extensively and he saw five touches inside the 10. Tennessee gave up 102 yards rushing to Raiders backs on 26 carries last week, so that's right in line with Fournette's production from a week ago. He should get enough volume to be considered a low-end No. 1 running back this week.
Week 1 at Houston Texans
The Houston Texans allowed a below league average 3.9 yards per carry to opposing running backs last season. And the Texans didn't have J.J. Watt as part of that defense. Leonard Fournette should be looking at 20 touches or more in this game, as Houston's offense isn't going to blow anyone out. Based on his workload alone, Fournette should be used as a No. 2 running back. The Texans did allow 10 touchdowns to running backs last season, so perhaps Fournette can pad his day with a score.
Fantasy Upside
The Jaguars didn't take Leonard Fournette with the fourth pick in the draft to let him play behind Chris Ivory or T.J. Yeldon. They drafted the bruising running back to use him early and often. He should see between 250—300 touches this season.
Fantasy Downside
Will Fournette be an every-down runner or will he give way to Yeldon on passing downs? And when your value is tied to a struggling quarterback such as Blake Bortles, it can make things tough on a running back. He also dealt with injuries in college that limited him to seven games last season.
2017 Bottom Line
As stated, the Jaguars didn't use the fourth pick in the draft to not give Fournette the ball. He's got power, speed, and solid hands, which should make him one of the top contenders for the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. He might not be quite as talented as Ezekiel Elliott, but he's not far off, either. Fournette should get some late first-round consideration and should be off your board by the early third round, at the latest, in all formats.
