The Jacksonville Jaguars have released running back Leonard Fournette after three seasons.
The Jaguars released Fournette, not because of his lack of performance, but because they couldn’t find a team interested in trading for him.
The Jaguars drafted Fournette with the fourth pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. Other notable running backs in that draft class are Christian McCaffery, Dalvin Cook, Joe Mixon, and Alvin Kamara. One of the best draft classes of running backs in the past few years. Besides, of the 12 running backs drafted in 2017, ten of them are still on the team that drafted them.
*all stats from pro-football-reference.com*
Over three seasons, Fournette accumulated 2,631 rushing yards, with two seasons rushing more than 1,000 yards. He scored 17 rushing touchdowns and two receiving touchdowns.
The future remains unknown for Fournette. Teams weren’t willing to trade players or picks for him, but they may be willing to sign him. This year was the final year of his four year, $27.15 million contract.
The Jaguars Struggle to Draft Well and Keep Top Talent
Field Yates released a stat that the Jaguars had six straight picks in the Top Five from 2012-2017. Only one of them is still a Jaguar, and none of them lasted more than five years with the team.
The Jaguars have had nine Pro Bowlers since 2015, only two remain on the team.
This release just comes a day after the Jaguars traded one of their stars on the other side of the ball, Yannick Nguakoue.
Fournette is a capable running back who will rush for 1000 yards a season if healthy. He may be a hefty contract, but if a team has the money, he might be the right guy to pick up for the long run.
