New England Patriots Rumors: Leonard Fournette a matter or luxury over need

With Leonard Fournette available, would the New England Patriots add the talented running back to their crowded backfield?

The big news in the NFL on Monday was the release of talented running back Leonard Fournette and the New England Patriots are co-favorites to land the former Jacksonville Jaguars running back according to a betting site.

As of the current depth chart, this wouldn’t make sense at all since the Patriots are currently stocked at the running back position with Sony Michel and Lamar Miller returning from the PUP list along with Rex Burkhead, James White and Damien Harris.

But with a high-level talent like Fournette, adding player who was the No. 4 overall pick in 2017 does not hurt, but is his off-the-field issues which led to the release from the Jaguars worth the headache for a coach like Bill Belichick?

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Well, there have been other big-name players with character and work-ethic issues Belichick has taken a chance on before, but is it worth brining in a player who would just add to an already crowded backfield?

Coming off a season in which he rushed for 1,152 yards on 265 carries with three rushing touchdowns, why not?  He would certainly be an upgrade if he stays committed.  But, again, is he worth the headache that led to Jacksonville flat out releasing the star running back?

Here’s what Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone told reporters about the release, via NFL.com:

"“Really just trying to take the team and put the best team together from what we’ve seen in our practices so, at the end of the day, I just felt that was the best decision for us as a team.  I think it gives us the best opportunity with the skillsets that we have with the other players in there, I just thought that was the best for the team and doing it now.  We exhausted all trade opportunities; we weren’t able to get anything there so I just felt that now we can work on the team and the plan and get ourselves ready for the season.”"

A team that seems to be tanking, Marrone’s reason for releasing Leonard Fournette would be a reason Bill Belichick and the Patriots wouldn’t bring him in, unless they felt he made the team better in some way.

Why the New England Patriots would pursue Leonard Fournette

There are a couple of reasons the New England Patriots would sign a Leonard Fournette.

First, of course, are injuries.  If the team feels Sony Michel and/or Lamar Miller will not be ready, the team could look to bring in Fournette as a lead back who would actually be an upgrade over both those players.  With Rex Burkhead also having a history of injury concerns, it could be a matter of depth if the price is right for Bill Belichick and he believes Fournette will help his team be a better power running team.

Another factor would be the readiness of second year running back Damien Harris.  If he does not prove that he is ready to take the field more, the Patriots could look elsewhere for a power running back.

With the cap space the New England Patriots have and the direction the offense may be going in with Cam Newton under center, adding another versatile and reliable running back like Leonard Fournette could be intriguing.

Of course, the question is not just about the fit on the field, but how his addition could influence or impact the locker room in a negative way.  It could be just a matter of a player with the talent of a Leonard Fournette just needing a change in atmosphere and an injection of a winning mentality.

This certainly sounds like a scenario in which Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots would swoop in.  But, adding him at this point is a matter of luxury over need.