What is the best landing spot for Leonard Fournette?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette is one of the most polarizing free-agent RBs this offseason. Fournette has obtained one Super Bowl ring, 14 regular-season rushing touchdowns, and 1,079 rushing yards in the past two seasons combined. Fournette, also known as “Playoff Lenny”, lost his seven-time Super Bowl champion QB in 2022. It seems that the Bucs “dream team” is broken apart after Brady’s departure. Fournette and the Bucs WR Chris Godwin could potentially head elsewhere in free agency.
Fournette is 27 years old and he will likely look to cash on a team other than his Tom Brady-less squad. The question is: where will Fournette sign this offseason? Well, here are a few squads that would make the most sense.
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks were once a Top 3 rushing offense in the league, but their rushing attack has lost its compass in recent times. The Seahawks saw Rashaad Penny unveil a career-high rushing yard mark in 2021 (749) and he also averaged a very impressive 6.3 yards per carry. Although, they need more juice in the backfield in 2022. Chris Carson is coming off neck surgery and he’s a free agent in 2022. All signs point towards the Seahawks replacing Carson this offseason.
The Hawks should really get back to their roots and please Russell Wilson with the signing of the smash-mouth RB Fournette. Wilson also needs to have fewer rushing attempts at this stage in his career (34 years old). Pete Carroll’s squad has the seventh most cap space in the league, too. They need to reel in a quality weapon and it would make sense to strike gold at the RB position in free agency. Wilson would be licking his chops at the idea of playing with Penny, Fournette, D.K. Metcalf, and Tyler Lockett.
Miami Dolphins
Mike McDaniels has the golden ticket in cap space (most cap space in the NFL). The hipster and motivated Dolphins coach will look to improve a Dolphins squad that won seven games in a row last season. He can certainly boost the Dolphins RB position, which will likely lose Phillip Lindsay in free agency.
The Dolphins are the best fit for Fournette, according to Heavy. Fournette might just be the missing link in the Dolphins offense featuring the all-purpose RB Duke Johnson, speed-demon WR Jaylen Waddle, and big-arm QB Tua Tagovailoa. The Dolphins play Bill Belichick and the NFL’s top defense in the Bills twice a season. It may be wise for McDaniels to ink a few offensive weapons and Fournette would be a smart addition.
New York Jets
The New York Jets need to show signs of life in 2021. They may have had a “first-year head coach and first-year QB”, but they have to show fans in the Big Apple that positive steps are being taken. The Jets, who are fifth in cap space, could make a splash addition at RB with playoff Lenny. The Jets have WR talent in Corey Davis, Elijah Moore, Denzel Mims, and Jamison Crowder. Still, they could use a jolt at their half-back position featuring Michael Carter (639 rushing yards, 4 rushing touchdowns in 2021).
The Jets were 27th in rushing yards per game last season, so they clearly need improvement at rushing the football. If the Jets can run the ball well with Fournette and Carter behind an improved offensive line, Wilson will be in a lot more manageable third-down situations.
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints will likely lose Alvin Kamara to a six-game suspension. The news surrounding Kamara might have faded, but his outcome should change soon. The Saints may be in cap hell, but they are still trying to win a Super Bowl with their elite defense, Thomas, and Kamara in the near future.
The Saints were linked to Allen Robinson, but I would enjoy them snagging a familiar RB instead. Mark Ingram was a pleasant surprise in 2021, but he is 32 years old. It would be wise to get a more fresh RB that can fill in for Kamara in 2022 and really be a fine complement to AK for many years to come. The Saints QB that will likely be Jameis Winston, will surely benefit from the return of Cantguardmike. Furthermore, he would be able to have more weight off his shoulders, if the Pete Carmichael offense can nicely utilize the former LSU stud in the rushing game.
Honorable mentions:
Buffalo Bills
The Bills mafia are expected to bring in a new running back to help Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs win an AFC Championship. The Bills had the number one defense and a perfect performance from Josh Allen, but they couldn’t beat Patrick Mahomes in the divisional round. The Bills have Devin Singletary, but he’s not close to being an elite RB like Derrick Henry, Joe Mixon, or even Elijah Mitchell.
If they Can’t acquire Saquon Barkley or Christian McCaffrey, I expect them to reel in a strong, downhill RB like Fournette or James Conner. Josh Allen logged 646 rushing attempts in 2021 and that’s not a recipe for Allen to play well into his late 30s.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are the perfect wild-card team to land Fournette in my mind. They have the fourth most cap space in the league and a need for a backup RB to Mixon. The Bengals could follow a similar path as the 2021 Rams. Zac Taylor may decide to swing big on many free agents this offseason and really capitalize off the continuity with Burrow, Chase, Boyd, and Tee Higgins.
The Bengals were also 22nd in rushing yards last season, so their rushing attack was a slight disappointment. Samaje Perine is also a free agent in 2022, so they could use a replacement for him. If Taylor had the 2021 CPOY Joe Burrow, 2021 OROY Ja’Marr Chase, Mixon, and Fournette, a few new faces on their OL and defense, the Bengals ought to be Super Bowl favorites next season.
