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Jacksonville Jaguars: Expect Leonard Fournette to have a better 2018

By Larry Brake

FOXBOROUGH, MA - JANUARY 21: Leonard Fournette #27 of the Jacksonville Jaguars carries the ball in the second quarter during the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 21, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA - JANUARY 21: Leonard Fournette #27 of the Jacksonville Jaguars carries the ball in the second quarter during the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 21, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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Leonard Fournette had a good rookie season for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Expect him to have a better season in 2018.

As a rookie, Leonard Fournette led the Jacksonville Jaguars in rushing. Remember, Jacksonville was the best rushing team in the NFL. As a result, the Jaguars made a deep run in the playoffs. Fournette ran for 1,040 yards while playing in 13 games. He averaged 80 yards per game with nine touchdowns. Fournette ripped off a 90-yard touchdown run against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

He caught 36 passes for 302 yards with a touchdown. Most of all, he fumbled only two times. What would his numbers had been if he had he played in all 16 games?

Fournette has had a history of battling through ankle issues. Several times, in 2017, he limped off the field because of tweaking an ankle. Evidently, according to Michael DiRocco of ESPN on Twitter, Fournette is lighter going into Jacksonville’s OTAs.

Fournette weighed 240 pounds at the NFL Combine in 2017. He played at 228 pounds last season. If he is weighing 218 pounds, he will be much quicker and faster.

Since Jacksonville is a young franchise, Fournette will be able to quickly move up on the career rushing list. Currently, he is eleventh on the Jaguars franchise rushing list with 1,040 yards. He could move into fifth place if he repeats his 2017 rushing statistics.

Fournette will have better numbers because the offensive line will be better. Expect Fournette to start and play in all sixteen games. Most of all, the Jaguars passing game will be better, too.

Next: NFL 2018: 20 RBs with best chance at 2,000 yards

While looking at the 2018 game schedule, only two opponents averaged giving up less than 100 yards rushing per game. Tennessee and Philadelphia will be tough to run against. Fournette ran for 40 yards and 69 yards in both Tennessee games last year.

Only an injury will derail Fournette this season. Jacksonville is looking to make their first Super Bowl appearance. Fournette will lead the way on the ground.

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