Leonard Fournette rushed for 1,152 yards in 2019 which was sixth most in the league but his inability to reach the end-zone put a cap on Fournette’s production in fantasy football leagues. With just three touchdowns on the year, Fournette was the only back to finish in the top six in rushing yet outside the top 12 in fantasy points. 

With a new Offensive Coordinator and Chris Thompson signed in the offseason, there’s some concern Fournette’s 76 catches from 2019 (5th most by any running back) will see a big decline in 2020. Add in the fact Jacksonville declined Fournette’s fifth year option and there’s growing skepticism about the Jaguars plans for Fournette’s usage this season. 

According to the last Average Draft Position data, Fournette is coming off draft boards as the 15th running back and 29th player overall. Is that an investment fantasy football players should make?

That’s what Sports Illustrated asked fantasy football analyst Ben Heisler and JaguarsReport’s editor John Shipley. 

Read the transcript from their conversation:

Bill Enright: Our fantasy football team previews continue as we take a look at the Jacksonville Jaguars' backfield situation. Obviously, everyone knows Leonard Fournette is the top dog from 2019, but will he still be that lead back in 2020? Let's bring on John Shipley from All Jaguars and Ben Heisler, our fantasy analyst here at Sports Illustrated. John, I'm going to start with you. The Jaguars declined a fifth year option for Leonard Fournette. They also signed Chris Thompson this offseason. What type of role do you see Fournette having in 2020?

John Shipley: Yeah, I really expect Fournette to have a similar role as he had last year, though maybe he'll, of course, play fewer third downs because Thompson is really a pass catching specialist out of the backfield and he has a lot of experience with Jay Gruden. But I expect for Fournette to be the Jaguars workhorse once again. I don't think any other back on the roster is going to get nearly as many carries as he will. And even if the Jaguars aren't committed to him past 2020, it does seem like they're committed to making him a centerpiece of the offense, at least for this year.

Bill Enright: Ben, let me go over to you, because last year Fournette had 76 catches. That was fifth most for any running back in the NFL. We heard what John just said about Chris Thompson possibly taking over that third down role, that will obviously hurt Fournette's fantasy football value in PPR leagues. Are you drafting or passing on Lenny?

Ben Heisler: I think it depends on the value. Right now I'm probably passing. Just whenever you have a coaching staff that isn't buying into what the guy that's gonna be the focal point of their offense is doing for them, and they don't like his attitude and they feel like there's other options there. It's hard to get excited about Fournette. The other thing that was fascinating about last year is that he almost never got in to the end zone. He had plenty of inside the five, inside the ten carries, but never seemed to find paydirt. And I wonder if that's going to be another change this year. You would think there would be some positive progression for somebody like Fournette after that type of a season. But I just think there's so many more options now. I think Jay Gruden's going to have more of a vertical passing game led by Gardner Minshew and D.J. Chark, along with Chris Conley on the outside and DeDe Westbrook on the inside. So I just feel like the touchdown volume just isn't going to be there for Fournette, even though it was there, he didn't capitalize on it last year.

Bill Enright: Fournette is currently the 15th running back coming off draft boards around the 30th overall player, according to the latest average draft position data. John and Ben, thank you guys for your insight. Plenty more fantasy football coverage, you can find it by going to SI.com/fantasy.