Jaguars should trade Leonard Fournette before 2020 NFL Draft

The NFL Draft is in less than a week. When the action opens, the Jacksonville Jaguars should be without Leonard Fournette.

On Saturday afternoon, a report surfaced involving Jacksonville talking with teams about moving Fournette, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Fournette, who the team selected fourth-overall in the 2017 draft, has been a decent running back. However, with the Jaguars in a full-scale rebuild under general manager Dave Caldwell, it only makes sense to deal the former LSU star for a draft pick or two.

Frankly, it makes sense. In three seasons with Jacksonville, Fournette has played in 36 games and rushed for 2,631 yards on 4.0 yards per carry. He’s scored a grand total of 17 rushing touchdowns. Not a bust, but certainly not the return Caldwell was hoping for when taking a running back top-five overall, especially over quarterbacks Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes.

If you’re the Jaguars, Fournette is signed through next season with a 2021 fifth-year option. Jacksonville can afford to retain him, but does it make sense when the team has already dealt cornerbacks A.J. Bouye and Jalen Ramsey in the last six months? The Jaguars also traded away veteran quarterback Nock Foles this offseason for a fourth-round pick, only one year after signing him for $88 million.

Clearly, Jacksonville is hoping for a fresh start. It already has a pair of first-round picks come Thursday, slated to choose with Nos. 9 and 20 overall. Fournette has no chance of bringing back a first-round selection, but if Caldwell can net a pick on the second day, he should be sent packing.

The Jaguars need a wide variety of contributors to get their program trending in the right direction. While running backs matter contrary to popular belief, they matter far less than corners, offensive linemen, pass-rushers and quarterbacks. Jacksonville should be looking to acquire draft capital — including by shopping unhappy defensive end Yannick Ngakoue — to help solidify those spots, even if it means getting worse in the backfield.

Of course, the Jaguars could also use one of their draft choices on a back as well, giving them a fresh four years of control on a cheap deal.

In five days, Jacksonville begins its long climb towards the top. Parting ways with Fournette is a smart move for a team trying to find its way once more.