The headline to this blog already explains what the Dolphins should do considering Leonard Fournette. It’s not the typical First Take approach to headlines where it poses a question so that morons have a question to debate over. I’m not really in to that. This blog gets straight to the point right from jump street. The Dolphins should not try and trade for Leonard Fournette.
Jaguars have had trade discussions with other teams regarding RB Leonard Fournette, league sources tell ESPN. Fournette is due $4.16 million in base salary in 2020. It’s a situation that bears watching as this week’s draft approaches.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 18, 2020
Of course the Jaguars want to get rid of Fournette. They’re the Jaguars and they really don’t know what they’re doing. They sort of have the stench of a certain team that also resides in the Sunshine state that very recently got rid of all their good players in the effort to land the top pick in the draft. Hmmm is there someone coming out next year, that throws the football well, who everyone is gaga over? Perhaps.
Naturally, because Leonard Fournette is apparently on the market and that he’s a football player, the Dolphins have to be linked to possibly acquiring him.
Rumor Mill: #Jaguars have had trade discussions with multiple teams including the #Dolphins and #Saints for Leonard Fournette. #NFLDraft #NFL pic.twitter.com/JX70USmmD7
— NFL Rumors (@nflrum0rs) April 18, 2020
No this is isn’t Adam Schefter or Chris Mortensesn. But go on Twitter and search Fournette and the Dolphins. Plenty of others have Miami as a team that’s rolling the idea around of Leonard Fournette taking, what I think could be a short ride from Jacksonville to Miami. I really have no idea on the distance and don’t feel like looking it up.
I suppose there are reasons that Miami is possibly thinking about bringing in the 25 year old running back. Though he hasn’t ran like a 4th overall pick in the 2017 draft, he has been a productive player. He’s cheap, for this year and Miami has tons of picks. You can probably get Fournette for a 4th round pick. That sounds like an easy trade.
But Fournette isn’t always available. He’s missed 10 games in three season due to injury and suspension. Also, though he’s cheap this year, if he does put up a big season, he’s going to want to get paid a ton of money. He won’t get Christian McCaffrey type money, but he’ll get a bunch. I don’t think the Dolphins should be paying a running back big-time money especially one that seems to always have hamstring issues.
I’m not going to take him being a possible locker room cancer against him. Most in that Jaguar locker room hated it there. Whether it was dealing with Coughlin time or the fact that any moment you might be getting shipped to London, players were over being in Jacksonville. Plus, anyone coming to Miami now will feel a sense of positive vibes because things are different in Miami. They have leadership and direction. Those are two things that have been lacking for decades.
The Dolphins addressed the running back position in free agency by signing Jordan Howard to a two year $10M contract. Howard is the same age as Fournette and has had similar to better stats. Is Howard a better all around player than Fournette? Maybe not. But, the difference isn’t as severe as some might have you think. Howard is coming off a season in Philly where he was a bit injured and the emergence of Miles Sanders cut into his time. Personally, I think you’re going to see a dynamite player in Howard whenever the season happens. I just think he has a lot to prove and wants to let everyone know that last season wasn’t him. That he’s the multiple 1,000 yard back that was in Chicago.
The biggest reason why Miami shouldn’t trade for Fournette is because they do in fact have a butt-load of picks. I fully expect them to use one of their first five picks on a running back. I’d love to see J.K Dobbins with 26th overall pick. I wouldn’t be to surprised if Flores and company don’t go running back there since their first pick will be spent on the Tua quarterback of the future. But with the 39th overall pick in the 2nd round, take the best available back there. That would be fine with me.
Fournette will land somewhere soon. I just hope that it’s not with the Dolphins. We’re five days away from the most important for the Dolphins in 20 years. Focus on that and get your minds in a good place. Lets have a wonderful Sunday.
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