NFL Power Rankings 2020: Ranking every starting running back
By Samuel Teets
15. Leonard Fournette, Jacksonville Jaguars
In 2017, the Jaguars selected Fournette with the fourth overall pick in the NFL Draft. The LSU product entered the league to unrealistically high expectations. He received about as much hype as Trent Richardson and Saquon Barkley. Each of the trio possessed “generational” talent and earned comparisons to Hall of Famers before they even played an NFL snap.
The hype surrounding Fournette stemmed from his 2015 season at LSU. As a sophomore, Fournette bullied his way for 1,953 yards and 22 touchdowns. He finished sixth in the Heisman voting but earned a Consensus All-American selection. Injuries hampered Fournette as a junior, but scouts still viewed him as the second coming of Adrian Peterson.
It was a comparison even Fournette wasn’t comfortable with, telling NFL Network’s Mike Mayock:
"Adrian Peterson is one of the best running backs in the league. Someone who dominates the game as a single player, who wins one-on-ones, who makes guys miss. I wouldn’t mind, but to me, that’s a little too much credit because he’s who I want to be."
However, nothing slowed the hype train down, and Fournette found himself in the uncomfortable position of having to play savior for a struggling Jaguars team. It worked for one season, as Fournette and Jacksonville’s defense carried the team to the AFC Championship game in 2017.
Unfortunately, things came undone from there. Fournette battled injuries in 2018, only appearing in eight games and averaging a measly 3.3 yards per attempt. He bounced back in 2019, producing 1,152 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Fournette also recorded 76 receptions for 522 yards, giving him the sixth-most yards from scrimmage in the NFL.
Despite his production, Fournette is getting beaten into the ground on a lousy team. His injury history is frightening, and it’s hard to tell what’s next for the 25-year-old.