New veteran RB option is now on the table for NY Giants GM Joe Schoen
Does NY Giants general manager Joe Schoen have a surprise move or two on the way before training camp gets here? Fans are dreaming of Justin Simmons to help out the defense, but the depth at running back could be a priority for the front office this summer.
Is that where veteran RB Leonard Fournette could come into play? He's been a bit of a forgotten player in recent months, but according to Adam Schefter, Fournette has been grinding with his recent workouts and he's motivated to sign with a team before Week 1 gets here. We think he'd be a strong fit for the Giants. Here's why.
Free-agent RB Leonard Fournette is motivated to continue his NFL career, intends to sign with a team before the season, and has hired his former agent Ari Nissim, and Pat Capra, both of @ChaseYourLegend, to help in that pursuit. “Leonard’s in the best shape of his career and I…
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 9, 2024
The Giants adding Leonard Fournette would be a smart move for Joe Schoen
Fournette is past his prime, sure, but the fact of the matter here is that the Giants could probably get him to town on a veteran's minimum contract. He wouldn't break the bank and he'd be able to help things in the backfield for Devin Singletary.
Singletary signed a three-year deal with the Giants to take the lead role in trying to replace Saquon Barkley. However, he indeed needs some more help. Eric Gray didn't have a great rookie season, while it's unknown how Tyrone Tracy Jr. will perform in Year 1.
Bleacher Report just dropped a trade proposal that would bring Najee Harris to East Rutherford, but for two draft picks. Could going with someone like Fournette be the smarter route? Potentially. Fournette has been in the league since 2017 - seven years of experience to his belt.
He posted two 1,000-yard seasons with the Jaguars, but his production sure has dropped in recent years. After 812 yards and 668 yards and in 2021 and 2022, respectively, Fournette appeared in only five games in '23 (with the Bills) and finished with 40 yards on 12 carries. That's head-turning, but not in a good way.
However, the 6-0, 230-pounder is a bruiser and would be a solid complementary back to work alongside Singletary. With his seven years of experience, Fournette, should he sign to a veteran's minimum contract, would cost NY $1.2 million. It'd be a bit of a gamble, but one that could pay off for Schoen and Co.
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