Leonard Fournette

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport is reporting the Jacksonville Jaguars and running back Leonard Fournette have agreed to terms on a four-year deal on Wednesday.

Fantasy Impact

Fournette, the fourth overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, signed his rookie deal with the Jaguars Wednesday. Although reports suggest the impending freshman rusher must earn the starting job, it's more like his job to lose. Barring a terrible showing in training camp and the preseason, Fournette is poised to enter the 2017 season as the No. 1 running back on Jacksonville's depth chart with T.J. Yeldon assuming the role of his handcuff. Fournette will flirt with the RB1 tier to open the upcoming fantasy football campaign.

According to Jacksonville Jaguars' head coach Doug Marrone, Leonard Fournette is not going to be "automatically installed" as the team's lead back. Instead, Fournette will have to "go and show" that he deserves the role.

Fantasy Impact

While it's unlikely that the Jaguars won't utilize the fourth-overall pick from the get-go, Fournette's workload could be affected by the crowded backfield in Jacksonville. T.J. Yeldon and Chris Ivory have the potential to siphon carries and could limit Fournette's ceiling in fantasy production if this were to happen. Even though this is most likely coach-speak to push the rookie, the situation should be monitored throughout the summer.

Jacksonville Jaguars beat writer Mike DiRocco believes running back Leonard Fournette will "get every opportunity to surpass 1,000 yards as a rookie."

Fantasy Impact

Fournette will be Jacksonville's workhorse running back in 2017. Despite being a rookie, he's expected to open the upcoming season as the Jaguars' starter ahead of Chris Ivory and T.J. Yeldon. Although he may not be an every down back, Fournette will likely garner the early down work while Yeldon is employed on passing downs, especially since the latter excels in pass protection. From a fantasy perspective, Fournette should be considered a borderline RB1/ RB2 with tremendous upside on a Jaguars offense with the pieces in place to explode. However, an Ezekiel Elliott-like season should not be expected as Jacksonville's offensive line is in the middle of the pack whereas the Cowboys' is amongst the league's elite.

The Jaguars' GM has said that the Jaguars are in win-now mode and believe that Fournette is someone that can make an immediate impact.

Fantasy Impact

This may seem obvious, but some believed the Jaguars would have Fournette split carries a bit or he might not be a true workhorse due to the presence of two other quality backs. All signs are pointing towards Fournette being the workhorse on this team, with TJ Yeldon and Chris Ivory only coming in for backup duty. Fournette has the talent, while the defense should improve and not limit the offense due to game flow, leaving the offensive line as the only notable obstacle. We saw Melvin Gordon succeed behind a subpar line last year, but other players, like Todd Gurley, didn't fare so well. I wouldn't say Blake Bortles as good as Philip Rivers, but he has shown the ability to be average, so it isn't as bad as the Rams' situation in 2016.

The Jaguars selected running back Leonard Fournette with the fourth overall pick.

Fantasy Impact

Fournette will come in and make an immediate impact in fantasy. He's a bruising running back who can create something special anytime he touches the ball. There hasn't been a running back as physically taxing on a defense since Adrian Peterson, so buckle up, it's going to be fun watching him get 20 touches per game.