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NFL Draft Rumors: Baltimore Ravens hoping to land Leonard Fournette?

By Jon Dove

Nov 12, 2016; Fayetteville, AR, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs during the first quarter of the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Fayetteville, AR, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs during the first quarter of the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports /
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LSU’s Leonard Fournette is one of the 2017 NFL Draft’s elite prospects and it appears the Baltimore Ravens covet his services.

According to the Baltimore Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec, it sounds like the Baltimore Ravens would jump at a chance to land LSU’s Leonard Fournette. This shouldn’t come as much of a shock as there’s a long list of teams that would love to add the former LSU running back.

Fournette seems like an ideal fit for the Ravens who have a long history of featuring a strong running game. In the past, they have had elite runners such as Jamal Lewis and Ray Rice.

Baltimore hasn’t had a steady ground game since they moved on from Rice. They have leaned on average players such as Justin Forsett, Terrence West and Bernard Pierce. It’s past time for them to get back to their roots.

The issue for the Ravens is that it’s highly unlikely that Fournette would be available at pick No. 16 overall. They would likely have to orchestrate a trade in order to move inside the top-10. A prime spot would would at pick No. 7 owned by the Los Angeles Chargers.

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This would represent a major move up the draft and would cost the Ravens a lot of draft capital. Based on the draft trade chart, the No. 7 pick is worth 1,500 points and the No. 16 worth 1,000. Baltimore would basically need to surrender their 2nd round pick (No. 47- 430 points) and maybe their 6th round pick (No. 198-12 points) to get a deal done.

The Ravens are not in a position to pay this price as it would leave them with only five picks in the 2017 draft. This team has way too many needs to have so little picks. Baltimore may covet Fournette, but the likelihood of them landing his services is dire.

Another point to consider is that the 2017 NFL Draft has a ton of depth at the running back position. Baltimore could find a strong running back prospect in the 2nd or 3rd rounds of the draft. However, Fournette is a different animal capable of being a once in a generation type player.

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