Buccaneers Have “Serious Interest” In Leonard Fournette

According to Albert Breer, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have emerged as a “serious suitor” for free agent RB Leonard Fournette. 

Breer says that no deal is done as of now, but there’s “serious interest” from the Buccaneers. 

Jeff Howe of The Athletic reported earlier that the Patriots have expressed interest in Fournette, so it appears as though a market for his services is developing quickly after clearing waivers on Tuesday. 

The Buccaneers have been linked to a number of running backs for several months now including Devonta Freeman. Up to this point, Tampa Bay has used a third-round pick on Ke’Shawn Vaughn and signed LeSean McCoy.

Fournette, 25, is a former first-round pick of the Jaguars back in 2017. He is entering the final year of his four-year, $27.15 million contract that’s fully guaranteed and stands to make a base salary of $4.16 million for the 2020 season.

The Jaguars recently declined Fournette’s fifth-year option and later waived him on Monday. 

In 2019, Fournette appeared in 15 games for the Jaguars and rushed for 1,152 yards on 265 carries (4.3 YPC) to go along with 76 receptions for 522 yards receiving and three total touchdowns.

We have him included in our Top 100 Available 2020 Free Agents list.