Fantasy Football: Analyzing the Downside for Each Relevant Rookie Running Back

Leonard Fournette, Jacksonville Jaguars

Downside: Negative game scripts

We all know Leonard Fournette has a shot to be a special early-down runner, but there are still some questions surrounding his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. He failed to hit the 20-reception mark in any season at LSU, but, to be fair, his market share numbers during his big 2015 campaign were just fine: he had 12.75% of the team's receptions and 11.69% of their receiving yards since the squad was so run-heavy.

Fournette, though, could easily cede passing-down work to T.J. Yeldon in Jacksonville this season. In fact, it's pretty much expected.

"We really like T.J. Yeldon, as far as his pass protection, catching the ball out of the backfield," Caldwell said. "He's one of the best pass-blocking backs that we feel like we have."

That's a snippet of an interview from Jacksonville general manager Dave Caldwell. And it makes sense, as Yeldon finished the 2016 season with 68 targets, the seventh-most at the running back position in football.

This means that, if Jacksonville struggles as they have over the last -- I don't know, forever? -- then Yeldon will be on the field in frequent negative game scripts. They should be better this season, but the fact that Yeldon is on the roster makes this landing spot for Fournette not as strong as it could hypothetically be for fantasy purposes. At least in the short term.