Leonard Fournette Fantasy Football News
by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Buccaneers’ Leonard Fournette: Thought of as co-starter
Coach Bruce Arians remarked that he sees both Leonard Fournette and backfield mate Ronald Jones as No. 1s during mandatory minicamp, Scott Smith of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ official site reports. “It’s a hell of a group,” said Arians. “Both those guys are starters in my mind. Whoever goes out first doesn’t really matter to me. But that will be determined in camp.”Fournette’s signing just before Week 1 a year ago naturally set him back in the early portion of the season, and his role fluctuated from healthy scratch to spot starter throughout the campaign. The fifth-year back then cemented the Buccaneers’ interest in bringing him back for their title defense with an excellent postseason — 448 total yards, four TDs across four games — and following his re-signing this offseason, he’s set to play another prominent role in 2021. However, Jones has a longer body of work in Arians’ offense and has been equally impressive at times, meaning both Jones and Fournette appear headed for a dreaded timeshare scenario if they remain healthy and similarly productive.
by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Buccaneers’ Leonard Fournette: Running it back with Bucs
Leonard Fournette announced Friday that he’s re-signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, NFL reporter Josina Anderson reports.Fournette’s return essentially finalizes Tampa Bay’s efforts to keep its championship roster intact. The 26-year-old wasn’t much of a factor during the regular season in 2020, with just 97 carries for 367 yards and six scores across 13 games, but he emerged as one of the Buccaneers’ top offensive weapons during the playoffs. Through the team’s playoff run, Fournette kept a grip on Tampa Bay’s top backfield role even after Ronald Jones returned to full health, logging 448 total yards and four scores through just four games — including 136 scrimmage yards and a TD in Super Bowl LV. If Fournette can reprise his playoff form through the 2021 regular season, he’ll be a highly intriguing fantasy option, and in any case, his return is seriously damaging to the prospects of Jones and second-year back Ke’Shawn Vaughn.
by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Leonard Fournette: Leaning toward Tampa exit?
Leonard Fournette and the Buccaneers haven’t made much progress in contract talks, Joey Knight of The Tampa Bay Times reports.The Bucs largely have managed to keep their championship squad together, re-signing Lavonte David, Shaquil Barrett, Rob Gronkowski and Ndamukong Suh. It’s still possible the team brings back Fournette and/or Antonio Brown, but the veteran running back is seemingly willing to be patient and hope for better offers.
by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Buccaneers’ Leonard Fournette: Closes out title run in fine form
Leonard Fournette rushed 16 times for 89 yards and a touchdown and secured all four targets for 46 yards during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 31-9 win over the Chiefs in Super Bowl LV on Sunday.While Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski likely will get more press for their performances, Fournette turned in another efficient performance through both the ground and air and essentially sealed the Super Bowl win with a 27-yard touchdown scamper up the right side with 7:45 remaining. The fourth-year back took the reins of the backfield beginning with the wild-card win over Washington and kept a firm hold of the top job even with Ronald Jones healthy over the last three postseason contests. Fournette’s ability as a receiver once again played a key role, as he checked in third in receptions and second in receiving yardage on the night for the Buccaneers. His strong finish during Tampa Bay’s championship run may earn him a bigger payday elsewhere, but there’s no question he filled a pivotal role in the team’s Super Bowl title.
by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Buccaneers’ Leonard Fournette: Productive in championship game win
Leonard Fournette rushed 12 times for 55 yards and a touchdown and brought in five of seven targets for 19 yards in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 31-26 win over the Packers in Sunday’s NFC Championship Game.The fourth-year back once again paced the Buccaneers backfield, with his pass-catching skills giving him the edge over Ronald Jones (10 rushes, zero targets) in terms of playing time. Fournette also made a significant impact on the game with a 20-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, one that saw him bounce out of a pile and get into the end zone up the right side of the field. The 26-year-old has logged double-digit carries in all three of the Buccaneers’ playoff games to date while also turning 17 targets into 14 receptions for 102 yards and a touchdown. He’ll be poised for another robust role during a Super Bowl LV matchup against either the Bills or Chiefs on Sunday, Feb. 7.
by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Buccaneers’ Leonard Fournette: Posts 107 total yards in win
Leonard Fournette rushed 17 times for 63 yards and secured five of six targets for 44 yards and a touchdown in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 30-20 divisional-round win over the Saints on Sunday.Even with Ronald Jones (quadriceps) active and taking 13 carries in his own right, Fournette served as the true lead back and turned in a second consecutive strong postseason effort. The fourth-year pro constantly ground out tough yards against a stingy Saints front, and he paced the Buccaneers in receptions while recording a clutch six-yard touchdown reception late in the third quarter to even the score at 20-20. The running game figures to once again play a prominent role in the frigid temperatures at Lambeau Field in next Sunday’s NFC Championship Game, meaning Fournette could be set for another busy afternoon.
by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Buccaneers’ Leonard Fournette: Bound for another start
Coach Bruce Arians announced Friday that Leonard Fournette will start Sunday’s NFC divisional-round game in New Orleans, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Fournette also led Tampa Bay’s backfield during last weekend’s wild-card win over Washington, when he carried the ball 19 times for 93 yards and a touchdown while also reeling in all four targets for 39 yards. Ronald Jones (quadriceps) sat out against Washington and will be a game-time decision for Sunday’s matchup, according to Arians, so Fournette could realistically be primed for workhorse duties once again versus the Saints.
by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Buccaneers’ Leonard Fournette: Steps up in Jones’ absence
Leonard Fournette rushed 19 times for 93 yards and a touchdown and secured all four targets for 39 yards in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 31-23 wild-card win over Washington on Saturday night.Fournette took on lead-back duties after Ronald Jones suffered a quadriceps injury during pregame warmups, and the 25-year-old excelled in the role while offering some critical balance for the Buccaneers offense. Fournette’s three-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter was a pivotal one, as it extended Tampa Bay’s lead to double digits after Washington had closed to 21-16. The fourth-year pro would be primed to helm the backfield again next weekend in a divisional-round battle against either the Rams or Saints if Jones is unable to suit up.
by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Buccaneers’ Leonard Fournette: Reverts to complementary work
Leonard Fournette rushed five times for 13 yards and secured both of his targets for 14 yards in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 44-27 win over the Falcons on Sunday.With Ronald Jones returning from both a finger injury and the reserve/COVID-19 list, Fournette went back to his clear backup role after handling 17 and 12 total touches in Weeks 15 and 16, respectively. The 25-year-old figures to continue serving in the same role in the coming postseason, and his expected active status in the playoffs could render veteran LeSean McCoy (undisclosed) a healthy scratch. Fournette was serviceable while usually functioning as a complementary option during his first Bucs season, posting 600 total yards and six rushing touchdowns across 13 games while playing on a one-year deal.
by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Buccaneers’ Leonard Fournette: Likely bound for pass-catching role
Leonard Fournette is expected to serve as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ top pass-catching/third-down back in Sunday’s game against the Falcons, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.While Ronald Jones was sidelined for the past two games following his placement on the reserve/COVID-19 list, Fournette served as the Bucs’ lead option on the ground, carrying 23 times for 83 yards and three touchdowns. After Jones was reinstated to the roster this week, head coach Bruce Arians suggested that the third-year player would slot back in atop the depth chart, leaving Fournette to fill more of a change-of-pace role. The Buccaneers could elect to rest their starters to some extent during Sunday’s game, but as it currently stands, Fournette will likely be in store for a downturn in carries compared to the previous two weeks.
