The New England Patriots have reportedly expressed interest in Leonard Fournette.
About a week away from the start of the 2020 NFL season, New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick might still be looking to add talent before his team officially takes the field in Week 1.
In an offseason that has already consisted of multiple moving parts for New England — from players entering the team via free agency to players sitting out the year due to COVID-19 concerns or departing in free agency — the team will already have a different look to it when play begins.
This week, the Patriots might have their eye on yet another player that is on the free agency market to help bolster their offense in 2020 and perhaps beyond.
Earlier this week, the Jacksonville Jaguars surprisingly cut ties with running back Leonard Fournette following a three-year stint with the team after being drafted by them out LSU with the fourth overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.
With Fournette clearing waivers and free to sign with any team he chooses to, New England has reportedly expressed interest in the 25-year-old running back on the doorstep of the new season.
On Wednesday, Jeff Howe of The Athletic reported that the Patriots have expressed interest in Fournette, who has been a free agent for about a day.
The Patriots have expressed interest in Leonard Fournette, per source. We'll see if it leads to anything. The fourth overall pick from 2017 has been a free agent for about 24 hours.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) September 2, 2020
It’s not clear just how serious New England is about Fournette or if there is mutual interest between the two sides, but the thought of adding a potential threat like Fournette to the Patriots is an interesting and somewhat puzzling idea.
Should the New England Patriots bring Leonard Fournette in?
There’s no doubt Fournette would be able to help New England’s offense as it tries to find a new identity with a new quarterback taking the field for the first time since 2000. The reason that it is initially puzzling is due to the Patriots’ already crowded backfield consisting of solid duo Sony Michel and James White, along with the likes of Rex Burkhead, Damien Harris and Lamar Miller on the depth chart.
If Fournette were to sign in Foxborough, that means one or two of those running backs could be looking for a job elsewhere right as the new season kicks off.
Although Fournette has dealt with some locker room issues throughout his NFL career in Jacksonville, it might be worth taking a shot on him for a year if you’re New England. After all, he has a proven history of being able to do damage both on the ground and in the passing game in an offense.
In 2019, Fournette appeared in a total of 15 games for the Jaguars and had a career-best year after missing roughly half of the 2018 campaign. A year ago, the running back finished with 265 rushing attempts for a career-best 1,152 yards and three touchdowns. In the passing game, Fournette recorded career-highs in targets (100), receptions (76) and receiving yards (522).
As we have seen with Michel and White out of the backfield, Belichick and company like running backs that can be dual threats and can both run the ball and catch it. Fournette certainly fits that mold and New England might have its eye on adding yet another piece to the running back group as the new season is about to begin next week.