Leonard Fournette

Ian Rapoport is reporting that the Buccaneers are re-signing veteran running back Leonard Fournette.

Fantasy Impact

Fournette got off to a slow start in the 2020 season, ceding touches to a fellow former first-round pick, Ronald Jones II. As the season progressed though, Fournette started to take over the lead duties, eventually turning into "Playoff Lenny" where he totaled 300 rushing yards, 148 receiving yards, and four touchdowns en route to the Buccaneers Super Bowl win. Bruce Arians has a penchant for rolling out a committee of running backs, so Fournette will likely slide down draft boards in 2021. Still, he showed what he's capable of when given the starting duties and will have a high ceiling.

According to sources, RB Leonard Fournette is in the process of weighing offers between the Buccaneers and the Seahawks.

Fantasy Impact

Tom Brady wants Fournette back, and rightfully so, as he helped the Buccaneers win a Super Bowl in 2020. But it’s being reported that the Seahawks have made a strong bid to pry him away from the Buccaneers. Remember, Chris Carson is a free agent, so Fournette could step right into a starting job in Seattle if he were to choose to go that route. Ronald Jones II could also be in line for a feature role once again with the Buccaneers if Fournette decides to sign with the Seahawks. Stay tuned.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and RB Leonard Fournette are both interested in re-uniting for the 2021 season, as reported by NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.

Fantasy Impact

Fournette was a stud in Super Bowl LV, leading all Buccaneers running backs with 16 carries for 89 yards and an explosive 27-yard touchdown run to put the game on ice late in the third quarter. Fournette also added four receptions for 46 yards through the air and is the clear favorite in passing targets when compared to fellow running back Ronald Jones II. The former top-five pick in the 2017 NFL draft will likely receive offers from teams during free agency but the Bucs and Fournette have a mutual interest in re-uniting for the 2021 campaign in Tampa Bay. If Fournette returns to the Bucs in 2021, his draft stock in fantasy redraft leagues should rise considerably from his average draft position (ADP) a year ago during his tenure with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Leonard Fournette carried 16 times for 89 yards and a touchdown, while catching all four targets for 46 yards in Sunday's 31-9 blowout win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV.

Fantasy Impact

Fournette provided the hard-nosed, north and south running that allowed the Buccaneers offense to function at its highest level on Sunday, particularly the impressive 27-yard touchdown run mid-third quarter to put the game out of reach for a Chiefs team that struggled on both sides of the ball throughout the night. Fournette signed with Tampa Bay as a free agent earlier in 2020 after being released by Jacksonville and ended up outpacing Ronald Jones II in total touches throughout the postseason. Fantasy managers in redraft leagues should opt to draft Fournette ahead of Jones if both running backs return in 2021, as the former has performed at a higher level in crucial moments with a bigger workload.

Leonard Fournette carried 12 times for 55 yards and a touchdown and caught five of seven targets for 19 receiving yards in a 31-26 win over the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship game on Sunday.

Fantasy Impact

Fournette has gained the edge in the Buccaneers backfield, absorbing all targets (7) and getting two more carries than Ronald Jones II including a hard-nosed 20-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter to help Tampa Bay defeat Green Bay 31-26 in Lambeau Field. The former top-five draft pick was signed by the Bucs as a free agent early in the season and has proved to be extremely valuable, scoring three touchdowns this postseason to help Tampa Bay return home to play in Super Bowl LV.