Will Fournette fall to 8 if no QBs are taken?

[t96]

1. Cleveland

2. San Francisco

3. Chicago

4. Jacksonville

5. Tennessee

6. New York (Jets)

7. Los Angeles (Chargers)

 

These are the teams that stand in our way, ignoring possibility of other teams trading up (who would trade up for a HB?)...

One by one:

Cleveland at first overall is theoretically a possibility to take Fournette, but realistically there is zero percent chance they go for him there. The team has way too many needs and it would be very very hard to argue that Fournette is the best player in this draft over Garrett, Allen, etc. Especially at a position that is not valued nearly as much as other positions these days.

San Francisco is also theoretically a possibility but I would say it's extremely unlikely they consider him at 2. Once again, too many needs on both sides of the ball and more importantly they do have Carlos Hyde in place. It's possible they view Fournette as a top 2 player in the draft and that Shanahan and Lynch may not love Hyde with his injury concerns or in his ZBS, but I doubt that would be the case, so realistically this won't happen.

Chicago won't take him. Jordan Howard exploded onto the scene last year and is locked in as their guy. They have a huge need at both safety spots and have Hooker or Adams written all over them. Zero chance for Fournette.

Jacksonville is a real threat to folks here wanting Fournette. I look at their team and think what do they want to do early in the draft? It's not really clear. Their defense is very young and has a lot of great pieces in place, while their offense was a mess last year. More because of Bortles' struggles than the running back position but taking a franchise player like Fournette to take pressure off of Bortles would be a good way to help him out. OL is the big issue there but no top 5 prospects this year for them to go for. What makes me think they won't take Fournette is the deal they gave to Chris Ivory last year and their drafting of TJ Yeldon. The defense still could use some pieces as well and I think that they go that route on the DL. Looking at the Jags forum, most fans don't see them going HB at 4. So I consider this possible but unlikely.

Tennessee zero chance. With Murray and Henry, Fournette is not in play.

New York is the other threat, but they have a ton of holes on both sides of the ball, and may have even more if they release both Marshall and Decker which has been suggested by some beat writers. They have major needs at corner and safety and I anticipate that's the direction they go here. Another thing to consider is how they've utilized their backs with Bowles there... Forte and Powell have both been utilized tremendously in the passing game. Fournette doens't fit with that at all. If they do indeed look to go HB here I would bet they look at Cook over Fournette. 

Los Angeles again, zero chance. With Melvin Gordon drafted in the first now coming on there's no chance of Fournette being considered by them.

 

So really no team jumps out as being a really clear destination for Fournette until we're on the clock, and only two before us are really even possibilities for him. Other GMs could think BPA, but that is affected by the current roster. For many of these teams drafting Fournette would be like us drafting Foster at 8 with Luke here (which isn't happening regardless of the talk around here). And while it's possible the Jags or Jets go for Fournette I think it's significantly more likely they look at other positions first. 

And if teams do indeed see any of these QB prospects as top 7 picks and one or more are taken, that'll only make it more likely he falls.

If we want Fournette, he'll be a Panther.

[Byrdman4real]

Well nooooooooooooo!!

[Catufb85]

If there aren't atleast 1-2 QB's taken he won't fall to us... the best scenario is Browns, Bears, 9ers, and Jets all take atleast 1-2 QBs with these 4 picks.  Jags wont take a QB most likely DL, S, or RB.  Titans will take S, WR, LB.  Chargers will be focusing on S, WR, DL, OL.  If there are no QBs taken, it will be VERY unlikely Fournette Falls to us at 8...

Perfect Scenario based on (reported) team Needs

#1 Browns select Watson

#2 9ers select Garrett/Allen

#3 Bears select Kizer/Trubiksy

#4 Jags select Allen/Adams/Hooker

#5 Titans select Adams/Hooker/Mike Williams/Corey Davis

#6 Jets select Mitch Trubisky

#7 Chargers select Hooker/Corey Davis/Ramcyzek/Robinson

#8 Carolina Panthers select LEONARD FOURNETTE

Welcome to Panther Nation Mr. Fournette.

[GoobyPls]

I highly doubt both the Jags and Jets pass over him. Both of them need RB help and since both have used the majority of their picks on defense these last couple of years they are feeling pressure to draft offense. I've heard rumblings about the jags being highly interested in Fournette.

[countryboi]

no way, its not 8 better players than him in this draft...we need one of the teams to take a QB or a wild card, most likely either the Jags or the Jets. 

[Udogg]

Yeah unfortunately , hes not making it past both the Jags and the Jets.  However, stranger things have happened.  Such as him actually being there and we select a linebacker.   ....

[panther4life]

I think QB's go. Last time there was a heavy consensus on who we should take if we were lucky enough for them to fall was Star. This year feels the same way. 

If we don't get him then there's still going to be good options out there. I can see Gettleman taking a pass rusher there if he's gone and maybe even if he's not. I just hope that if he does invest such a high pick in a DE they end up proving to be worthy of the selection based on talent vs the need for one

[gorillamilitia13]

12 minutes ago, GoobyPls said:

I highly doubt both the Jags and Jets pass over him. Both of them need RB help and since both have used the majority of their picks on defense these last couple of years they are feeling pressure to draft offense. I've heard rumblings about the jags being highly interested in Fournette.

I see the Jets biting on one of these QB's over a RB

[Cyberjag]

If Thomas or Barnett is there, what makes you think Gettleman will still take Fournette?

[Saca312]

If you look at the Jags, you'll be hard pressed to find a Jag fan truly wanting him at number 4. You look at Ivory and Yeldon's contracts and you'll see why.

They got other issues they'll likely go for. I personally feel the Jets are the bigger threat for Fournette than the Jags by far.

[Mr. Scot]

I'm not sure he makes it to us even with quarterbacks taken.

[GoobyPls]

18 minutes ago, gorillamilitia13 said:

I see the Jets biting on one of these QB's over a RB

Highly doubt that, they just drafted Hackenberg last season. The jets are likely going after a veteran since they believe they can win now.

[Snake]

1.Cleavland.  QB or DE

2.SF QB or RB

3. CHI S or CB

4.JAX QB,RB,or S

5. TEN DT,DE,or CB

6. NYJ QB or RB

7. LA WR,OT,DE,CB,or LB.

 

My bet is Fournette would go 2 or 6 and I'd not he will drop to us. Cleavland will pick Garrett that done. SF will pick offense with there pick but who idk. They have a bunch of needs and FA will clear things up a bit.Jax needs a actual QB with there WRs so good chance they draft one. If they trade for Romo or pick up a FA we could see Fournette there. After that its the Jets and they will pick up a QB. Whether it's the draft or FA idk. If they do get a QB in FA then it would make sense to draft Fournette.

[Snake]

7 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

I'm not sure he makes it to us even with quarterbacks taken.

Its too early to really figure it out. After FA it will be more clear.