In a continuing look at some free agents the Arizona Cardinals could pursue, we look at a hot commodity in running back Leonard Fournette.
Obviously, the scenario in which they look at bringing in Fournette means that Kenyan Drake is gone — that he was likely too pricey for Arizona to keep. It seems a bit of a contradiction to suggest they may look at Fournette, as he could cost as much if not more than Drake, but there are a few reasons.
The main reason would be what Fournette could bring to the table that Drake did not — toughness between the tackles. There were a few times throughout the season where Drake needed a yard and struggled. This is where Fournette could excel, and did excel, in the playoffs this year for the Bucs.
There were unfortunately a few times where Arizona needed Drake to gain a yard this year, and he could not. This would seem to be less likely for a bigger back like Fournette.
The other area that perhaps Fournette could have an advantage over Drake is cost. Though Fournette had a great playoff run, he might not be considered a true three-down back, which shouldn’t bother Arizona with Chase Edmonds in tow. (Spotrac calculates Drake’s potential value at $8.3 Million per year and Fournette’s at $8.1 Million)
And perhaps this might work well for the Cards, giving more room to the up-and-coming Edmonds, provided that Fournette would be fine with yet another timeshare.
What do you think? Should Arizona consider signing Fournette and letting Kenyan Drake walk?
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