Category: Leonard Fournette

Podcast: Fournette’s contract option gets declined, analysis on Shenault, Hamilton picks, Rodgers gets connected to Jags

James and Smith jumped in the booth to record yet another episode of “Bleav in the Jags” where they evaluated the Jags’ Day 2 picks.

With the 2020 NFL Draft in the books, the Jacksonville Jaguars  had to make a key decision on one of their current stars on the roster, Leonard Fournette, whose contract option was due to be picked up. With them declining the option, Jags Wire contributor Phil Smith and I decided to jump in the recording booth and discuss the topic on episode 15 of “Bleav in the Jags.”

We also continued our player analysis on the Jags’ 2020 draft class and discussed the selections of Laviska Shenault Jr. and DaVon Hamilton. To put it simply, the Jags got solid athletes in both and we looked into their pros, cons, and the outlook for each individual.

Lastly, we took a look at the recent CBS Sports’ article by Cody Benjamin which listed the Jags as a 2021 suitor for Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. While we believe it’s hard to look that far into the future and an unlikely scenario, we looked at some key points that do make it a possibility.

All that and more was discussed and the full episode can be heard below.

Feel free to listen to the archived episodes of “Bleav in Jags,”too, and subscribe via Apple podcasts, Google Play, or Spotify.

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Jaguars declining Leonard Fournette’s fifth-year option

Add the Jags to the list of teams who will be declining the fifth-year option for their 2017 first-round draft pick, Leonard Fournette.

The Jacksonville Jaguars will not be picking up the fifth-year option of running back Leonard Fournette, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The Jags’ choice comes as no surprise as their relationship with Fournette has been up and down since drafting him in the first-round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Just last month, Schefter revealed that the Jags entered the draft open to trading him, however, nothing materialized though the Tampa Bay Bucs and Miami Dolphins contacted them.

Before 2020, Fournette had issues with seeing eye-to-eye with former team executive Tom Coughlin and the front office. His issues with the organization resulted in him being sidelined and fined at different points of his career. He also dealt with a suspension from the league for brawling with Buffalo Bills pass-rusher Shaq Lawson.

With the Jags declining the contract option, Fournette is due to make $4.17 million in 2020 and will count $8.64 million against the team’s salary cap. It appears those paychecks will fall on the Jags this year though, as his chances of landing with another team via trade feel unlikely with the draft over.

The Jags could end up still extending Fournette if he turns things around, however, a change of scenery may be what’s best for him. He’ll enter 2020 with 2,631 career rushing yards, 1,009 career receiving yards and 19 total touchdowns.

Leonard Fournette once again roasts Jalen Ramsey on social media

Despite Jalen Ramsey no longer being a Jag, Leonard Fournette still continues to roast his friend who he spent a lot of time with.

Regardless of his situations with the Jacksonville Jaguars’ front office, running back Leonard Fournette has always been a man of the people. Whether his connection has been with his own people of New Orleans, those in Texas, or the fans in Duval, he’s been pretty available and his connection with the fans is likely one that won’t ever fade.

During the draft this weekend, he took the time out to join a Zoom chat full of Jags fans hosted by the “Bold Take” podcast crew (Twitter users @E_Dilla, @BoldCityCap, and @sollpaper), which provided the web with some great content. He also brought up his favorite moment since becoming a Jag: Jalen Ramsey’s infamous scuffle with A.J. Green.

With his statements still garnering buzz around the web, Fournette circled around to what he said Tuesday, only to roast his good friend more. He also went into detail on the big mistake Ramsey made, which was turning his back on an angry opponent.

Of course, this caused some fans to think Fournette was no longer cool with Ramsey, but Fournette’s statements were just a simple case of him joking on one of his best friends in the league. To be honest, it wouldn’t be shocking if Fournette has joked with Ramsey about the situation in person as the two had some classic locker room moments when together.

With it looking like Fournette will remain with the Jags for 2020, hopefully, he can build the same brotherly bond with some of the new faces in the locker room and help lead the Jags to a decent season.

Leonard Fournette says ready to put in the work regardless of what team he’s plays for

Leonard Fournette entered the draft on the trade block but remains a Jag. Regardless as to if he stays on the team, he’s ready to grind.

Before the draft, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Jacksonville Jaguars were open to trading running back Leonard Fournette but the annual event has passed and he remains on the team. That could lead to him remaining on the roster for at least another year, but regardless as to where he plays, Fournette took to Twitter to let fans know that he’s going to give 2020 his all.

As many Jags fans are aware, Fournette has had his highs and lows with the Jags since being drafted in 2017. However, in 2019 it’s worth noting that he produced a career-high in yards with 1,152 and yards per carry with a 4.3 figure average. Unfortunately, he struggled to get in the end zone in the process, registering a career-low of three touchdowns.

There were teams who at least called about Fournette in the Tampa Bay Bucs and Miami Dolphins according to reports, but those teams ultimately decided to go in different directions. Baring a team comes in and offers picks for next year (which wouldn’t help the Jags immediately) or some type of player-for-player trade, it appears Fournette will probably be a Jag in 2020 and is fine with it.

The next big situation to watch with Fournette is whether the Jags will pick up his fifth-year option by the May 3 deadline. Due to their rocky relationship with him, that may be unlikely but it doesn’t necessarily mean he won’t be a Jag past 2020 if he has a good season.

A RB prospect for the Jaguars in top-3 round of the 2020 NFL Draft

The Jags are open to trading RB Leonard Fournette which means they may have to find a new No. 1 in Jonathan Taylor, Cam Akers, or Zack Moss.

This past weekend it was revealed that the Jacksonville Jaguars are open to trading one of their top offensive weapons in running back Leonard Fournette, which definitely could mean his chances of returning are bleak. If the Jags already have it in their minds that they are moving on, they likely have a plan to find a replacement for him through the upcoming draft, too.

When looking at the prospects at the running back position, there is a variety of rushers to choose from. Here are some names the Jags could be interested in within the top-3 rounds if they trade Fournette:

Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Round 1 – Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin

While the Jags are unlikely to take a running back in round one, what is their not to like about the ultra-productive Jonathan Taylor? He’s pretty much everything fans want in a running back.

Taylor is the definition of a human highlight reel and proved to be a workhorse back while at Wisconsin, accumulating 12 games with 200 yards or more during his career. Part of the reason he was able to do that was because of his size as he is built like an NFL tailback at 5-foot-10, 226-pounds.

Additionally, he cuts well, shows great burst as a former track runner, and can garner yards after contact — all of which makes him as the perfect player to place Fournette should the Jags trade him.

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4 teams who could be suitors for a Leonard Fournette trade

The Jags are open to trading Leonard Fournette per ESPN and there are a few teams who could use him. Two of them are in the same state.

With the 2020 NFL Draft coming up Thursday trade rumors are going to be at their strongest point of the offseason. One name that popped up over the weekend on the Jacksonville Jaguars end is running back Leonard Fournette, who the Jags are open to moving, per ESPN insider Adam Schefter.

Of course, with that news surfacing, many have been left to wonder what teams are suitors, so we did our homework and came up with a couple of teams in the AFC and a couple in the NFC:

Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Tampa Bay Bucs

With Tom Brady behind center, it’s hard to say whether or not Fournette would get the rushing touches he’d like but he’d definitely be appealing because of his dual-threat ability. One of the underrated aspects of Fournette’s game is his pass-catching ability and that could appeal to Bruce Arians, Brady, and company.

Considering Brady’s age (42), I’m sure adding some help to their run game is something in the back of the minds of the Bucs’ decision-makers. Adding a workhorse back like Fournette should help ease those concerns as he could be paired up with Ronald Jones to make one of the league’s best rushing duos.

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Report: Jaguars have had discussions to potentially trade RB Leonard Fournette

The Jaguars continue to ship assets as Adam Schefter reports they are open to trading Leonard Fournette.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have already ridded themselves of several veterans from their 2017-19 squad and with the draft coming up, others could follow. Of course, the name that most are aware of is disgruntled defensive end Yannick Ngakoue but it appears he may not be alone as Leonard Fournette’s name has also been discussed on the trade block.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that the Jaguars are open to possibly shipping the former No. 4 overall pick, with multiple teams interested in the 25 year-old.

Fournette is approaching the final year of his rookie deal and is scheduled to make $4.16 million in 2020. That’s a figure he’ll make despite having had his guarantees voided by former front office executive Tom Coughlin following a string of disciplinary infringements.

This news concerning Fournette comes after he recently raised some eyebrows this week by publicly stating his desire for free agent Cam Newton to join the Jaguars. However, he later came out to clarify that his pitch for Newton was simply to better the team by adding competition.

Whilst he has struggled to build upon his impressive rookie season, last year Fournette managed to add a different dimension to his game, leading the team in receptions with 76. He also was able to garner 265 touches for 1,152 rushing yards (a career-high), and three touchdowns.

The Jaguars already own 12 picks in this year’s draft and have done their due diligence on the running back position, perhaps in preparation for life without their running back. If he is moved prior to the draft, Fournette would join the long list of players from the 2017 AFC Championship game to leave Jacksonville over the span of the last five months like A.J. Bouye, Calais Campbell, Jalen Ramsey, and perhaps Ngakoue.

Leonard Fournette says his pitch for Cam Newton is simply to make Jags better

Competition brings out the best in everyone and Leonard Fournette feels like that would be the case if the Jags signed Cam Newton.

The Jacksonville Jaguars may potentially have a franchise quarterback in Gardner Minshew II but at least one of his teammates would like to see him face the fiercest competition available. That teammate’s name is Leonard Fournette, who raised some eyebrows when he made an Instagram post that featured a picture of him and Newton with a captioning that read, “What we teaming up of what [cross emoji]”

While on ESPN’s “First Take” Thursday, Fournette explained to hosts Stephen A. Smith, Molly Qerim, and Max Kellerman that he certainly wasn’t overlooking his teammate Minshew. He added that Newton had Super Bowl experience and stated that he believed a little friendly competition would make the team an overall better group.

“Cam went to the Super Bowl,” Fournette said on “First Take.” “He’s a great guy. I’ve been knowing Cam for a minute now. And like I told some people that talked to me, it’s no disrespect to [Gardner Minshew]. I’m just trying to get in the best position as a team as we can [to] win.

“That’s all that was about. Just friendly competition ’cause that brings out the best in people.”

That’s certainly hard to argue with. After all, Minshew’s résumé is nowhere close to the one Newton has put together as he’s played in 124 games. He also has played in seven postseason games. Overall, Newton will enter 2020 with a 59.6% (2,371-of-3,980) completion rate, for 29,041 passing yards, 182 touchdowns, and a QBR of 86.1. While his completion percentage isn’t the best, there is no denying that he should be starting for a team in the NFL.

When we spoke with NFL insider Ian Rapoport weeks ago, he said that he had no knowledge of the Jags contacting Newton’s camp. However, for a general manager and coach on the hot seat in Dave Caldwell and Doug Marrone, prancing on a veteran with Newton’s achievements might be a smart move that could pay off in the end.

Jags players doing their part to help communities as nation battles COVID-19

The Jags have continued to support their communities through the nation’s battle with COVID-19, including RB Leonard Fournette.

As the nation’s battle with COVID-19 continues, the NFL’s support for their millions of fans affected has also continued. Earlier in the month, we posted the stories on how owner Shad Khan and cornerback Tre Herndon have helped the Jacksonville area. Since, many more have joined the battle to fight COVID-19 including Leonard Fournette, DJ Chark Jr., Josh Lambo, Tyler Shatley, Carl Davis, and Chris Conley.

Fournette, who has been a huge part of his community in New Orleans and Jacksonville, will be donating 7,000 meals up until June to Second Harvest of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana. The gesture is one that will certainly go a long way for a community that has been deemed a hot spot and area of concern for America.

Chark has done his part by using social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram to spread the messages of local businesses. His friend from the receivers room, Conley, raised $9,300 for the World Health Organization after placing second in a Fortnite tournament.

Lambo, a big-time pet lover, has offered to cover a portion of adoption fees and a six months supply of dog food for any dog adopted from Fur Sisters of Jacksonville Beach. Lambo is familiar with the shelter as that’s where he adopted his dog, Indie, from.

Davis, who recently signed with the Jags, spent time with people residing at Five Star Veteran Center, which is a local non-profit that helps with supporting veteran mental health and re-integration into civilian life. Last, Shatley gave over $10,000 towards several outreach efforts to senior citizens.

The donation will be matched by the Jags Foundation. That funding will support a joint partnership between Florida Blue and Feeding Northeast Florida, who will prepare 1,500 meals for senior citizens in the Jacksonville area. Funding will also go towards feeding first responders and workers in the healthcare field.

As a big part of the community, the Jags have posted a page for fans to go to and donate to charities in the Jacksonville area. For those wanting to help the community, feel free to check that out here.

Leonard Fournette says he’s the ‘Tim Duncan’ of the Jags after surviving recent veteran trades

Leonard Fournette is one of the Jags’ few remaining players from their 2017 run, which is why he feels like a certain NBA legend.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have been moving towards a rebuild this offseason, and while some aren’t shocked, others are baffled by it. Count running back Leonard Fournette amongst those puzzled by the Jags’ decisions.

Sunday, the young tailback took to Instagram for a live session where he interacted with the fans while playing “Call of Duty.” A fan asked about the team’s decision to trade Calais Campbell and Fournette simply had no answers. However, he did counter with a bit of comedy by proclaiming that he’s the Tim Duncan of the Jags after surviving a big-time purge over the years.

“I don’t know why they [the Jaguars] are trading everybody,” said Fournette. “I’m here though. Listen, I’m Tim Duncan of the Jags! Believe that! Call me Timmy from now on!”

While Fournette remains one of the few players from the Jags’ 2017 roster which went to the AFC playoffs, it feels like almost no player is off-limits to be traded aside from Josh Allen, D.J. Chark, Jawaan Taylor, and maybe Gardner Minshew II. That said, there haven’t been any reports stating the Jags have shopped him or have been asked about him but that doesn’t mean he’s necessarily off-limits, especially if they were willing to trade a veteran like Calais Campbell, who they probably wanted to keep.

The Jags are also coming up on a decision on rather or not they will pick up Fournette’s fifth-year option. If they did, that would indicate they probably want his services for 2020 at least. They could very well pass on picking up the option, too, and simply observe how well he plays this upcoming season. If he impresses them, they could extend him down the road. If they aren’t impressed, they wouldn’t be invested in him past January and could simply let him hit the open market.

Fournette had a career-year in yards and yards per carry this past season accumulating totals of 1,152 and 4.3 in each category, respectively. Maybe If he can match those stats in 2020 and get in the end zone more, the Jags may elect to stick with the former first-round pick.