Cowboys Should Sign Leonard Fournette? What ‘Gronk’ Suggests

FRISCO - We are careful to use the word “ideal” when it comes to most free agents signing with most teams - a point that is especially true when we slog through this fourth tier of free agency.

But when an idea is suggested by one of our trusted media friends - in this case by The Score’s Jordan Schultz - we perk up a bit. And when the idea is endorsed by Gronk? We take notes …

The Cowboys should be considered a “best fit” for running back Leonard Fournette, in Schultz’ view. “Playoff Lenny” is 28, has a Super Bowl resume and at his peak at least is a “mismatch nightmare,” as former teammate Rob Gronkowski calls him.

Last year with the Buccaneers, recorded 1,200 all-purpose yards, a number that includes a career-high 523 receiving yards on a notable 73 catches.

“‘Playoff Lenny’ has bided his time as the market stagnates,” writes Schultz. “There’s interest from several teams for the physically imposing runner, whose playoff exploits drew rave reviews from both Tom Brady and Gronkowski.

“They loved Fournette’s clutch factor when he helped them to a Super Bowl.”

What else might the former No. 4 overall draft pick out of LSU (a school the Cowboys and Will McClay’s scouting department know well) bring to Dallas?

He’s a big body (6-0, 230), making him a seeming “fit” for a Dallas roster that with Tony Pollard as the lead back and with Ezekiel Elliott cut lacks a “power runner.”

Is Fournette better there than Zeke, who also remains a free agent? One of Pollard’s potential backups is the just-signed Ronald Jones, who once upon a time lost his starting job in Tampa to Fournette.

Fournette has a terrific postseason resume - in nine playoff games he’s scored 10 TDs - and in theory would at this time - or maybe at training camp in five weeks - would come at an affordable price.

The other backs presently on the roster are Malik Davis, Rico Dowdle and rookie Deuce Vaughn.

“Lenny is an absolute tank who’s versatile to be a three-down back and make a big play when you need it the most,” Gronk told Schultz. “His unique skill set in the pass game at the size he is makes him a mismatch at all times.”

“Ideal”? “Perfect”? No such thing, “Best available fit”? From a Cowboys perspective, we find it hard to argue here with a reporter who is our buddy and with a Gronk who is Fournette’s buddy.

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