LSU running back Leonard Fournette ventured to Charlotte on Monday to visit the Panthers, according to Albert Breer of The MMQB (Twitter link). Few teams, if any, have drawn more connections to Fournette than the Panthers in recent weeks, though it doesn’t seem as if they’ll be able to land the 228-pounder with their current first-round pick, No. 8 overall.
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Carolina is reportedly interested in trading up to the 49ers’ top selection, No. 2, to select either Fournette or Stanford defensive lineman Solomon Thomas. However, Fournette might not even be on the board then, according to CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora, who writes that the Browns aren’t ruling out taking him with the first pick in the draft. That’s unlikely, concedes La Canfora, who expects the Browns to grab Texas A&M edge defender Myles Garrett. But even if the Browns pass on Fournette, he’s nevertheless enough of a blue-chip talent to go higher than expected, notes La Canfora.
It should help Fournette’s cause that the rest of the offensive talent in this year’s class is underwhelming, La Canfora suggests, with no surefire quarterback prospects, a receiver group which leaves “plenty to be desired” and a subpar collection of tackles. There are other first-round-caliber running backs in Florida State’s Dalvin Cook and Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey, but scouts are down on the former because of character issues, relays La Canfora. As such, McCaffrey could end up as the second back taken, perhaps near the top 10, which jibes with an earlier report from FOX Sports’ Peter Schrager.
If Fournette does wind up a top five pick, as La Canfora expects, it seems the Jaguars, who pick fourth, would be the most logical fit. Jacksonville’s top two runners, T.J. Yeldon and Chris Ivory, each averaged under 4.0 yards per carry last season, and head coach Doug Marrone seemingly wants to upgrade the team’s backfield. The other clubs with selections in the first five, the Browns, 49ers, Bears and Titans, have more-than-capable No. 1 rushers in Isaiah Crowell, Carlos Hyde, Jordan Howard and DeMarco Murray, respectively.
Even if Carolina moved to number 2 and Browns took Fournette, it would benefit more to take Myles anyway….at # 2 pick Carolina would have a win win situation of traded up
Titans and Bears…. That would be the shock of the draft. Derrick Henry is a stud waiting behind Murray too. Jordan Howard showed he has what it takes.
I’m just saying, I would want Henry and Howard over fournette personally.
I agree, I look at Fournette as a poor man’s Adrian Peterson. He can run really good but can’t do anything else good. I think Mixon if not for the off the field junk would be picked higher then Fournette.
Totally agreed.. Howard will provide the same or similar production.
Don’t think any RB in this class, can do what Zeke did for the cowboys.
Cooks had shoulders, McF being a Reggie Bush RB, Leornard has been banged up takes time to build up speed.
He a good big hawg back but come on now man round here he ain’t no top guy to draft
I would love to see the Bears take Fournette and flip Howard for a late 2nd round pick. Then flip both 2nd rounders for a late 1st round pick to get DeShaun. Worst case scenario, then end up with a solid impact player (Fournette) and a potential future starter at QB in a year or two.
Y’all wacky ya think Howard can fetch a 2nd rounder you crazy boy. Gone be backs in round 4-5 dat still be better than dat average joe back Howard son
I think you’re wacky boy. Pa must have wacked you up side the head one too many times I reckon. Howard is a tough Alabamer hoss son, ye can’t find ya self a better running back in the draft outside the first round.
Laugh o loud y’all. Howard a scrub. Sorry lil youngin. You funny tho.
Ain’t no better RB after 1st ya reckon? Ya wacky! Howard ain’t no workhorse stud RB to carry lots.
Howard is hawg slop.
Name me one running back that would be available after the 1st round better than Howard? I reckon that is like saying you’d rather have KFC over ma’s homemade fried chicken. Y’all Texas youngins think yens the cream of the crop but that there title belongs to them Alabamer boys!
The UT RB (Freeman) will be available after RD1 and will be better than Howard
Ain’t no 2016 late round RB gone be flipped for some 2017 2nd rounder y’all crazy for thinking dat stuffs
Why would you trade a back that would have out up comparable numbers to Zeke it the coach would have started him sooner for a complete unknown? that’s just trading for the sake of making a trade
La Canfora forgot to take his meds again.
If garnett is available #2 49ers will take him. If browns take garnett, 49ers will trade pick to Panthers so they can grab fournette.
the niners drafted garnett last year.
Browns aren’t going tot ale Fournette. If anything they are trying to see if anyone will give up way too much to trade up. This is the season of lies and smoke screens.
Yeah, misspelled Garrett. My bad.