Report: Former LSU running back Leonard Fournette on free agency visit
Running back Leonard Fournette is coming off of one of the best seasons of his NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Now, Fournette is a free agent. According to ESPN’s Field Yates, Fournette is set to visit a potential surprising team in the New England Patriots.
“The Patriots are hosting free agent RB Leonard Fournette on a visit today, per source,” Yates tweeted on Monday.
Fournette began his NFL career in Jacksonville after the Jaguars selected him fourth overall in the 2017 NFL Draft out of LSU. He immediately made an impact with the Jaguars, rushing for over 1,000 yards with ten total touchdowns as a rookie. Fournette only played in eight games in 2018, but responded in 2019 with an impressive 1,152-yard, three rushing touchdown campaign, also adding 76 receptions for 522 yards.
Ahead of the 2020 season, the Jaguars released Fournette and he then signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Fournette didn’t have a huge role in his first year with the Buccaneers, rushing for 367 yards and six touchdowns. This past season, he had a great year, rushing for 812 yards and eight touchdowns and adding 69 receptions for 454 yards and two more touchdowns.
Now, Fournette could be on the move again, depending on how his visit goes with the Patriots on Monday.
The Patriots would be an interesting landing spot for Fournette
The Patriots had a solid year this past season, going 10-7 and finishing as a wildcard team in the AFC playoff field. New England then got blown out in the Wild Card round of the playoffs, falling 47-17 to the Buffalo Bills. Regardless, it was a successful season for the Patriots.
The interesting part about Fournette visiting the Patriots is the fact that they don’t necessarily need a running back. Damien Harris led the team in rushing last season with 929 yards and 15 touchdowns. Rookie Rhamondre Stevenson also had a solid first NFL season, rushing for 606 yards and five touchdowns. The Patriots also have veteran pass-catching running back James White, who played in just three games last season.
The only loss from the Patriots backfield from last season is Brandon Bolden, who signed a two-year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency. Bolden rushed for 226 yards and one touchdown, adding 41 receptions for 405 yards and two touchdowns.
While it is no guarantee that Fournette will sign with the Patriots, it is interesting that they are interesting in adding him to their already crowded running back room.