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2017 NFL Draft Big Board: Ranking the top 32 prospects

By Patrick Schmidt

Dec 5, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) looks to pass the ball during the second quarter against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the ACC football championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Clemson defeated North Carolina 45-37. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) looks to pass the ball during the second quarter against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the ACC football championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Clemson defeated North Carolina 45-37. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 19, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) breaks a tackle by Auburn Tigers defensive back Jonathan Jones (3) during the second quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) breaks a tackle by Auburn Tigers defensive back Jonathan Jones (3) during the second quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Leonard Fournette may be the best running back prospect ever by the time next year’s draft rolls around. I don’t think that’s hyperbole either.

Fournette has been destined for this type of greatness for years. He was the highest ranked recruit out of high school who was being compared to Adrian Peterson before even playing a game for the LSU Tigers.

The 6-1, 230-pound Fournette should have a shot at 2,000 yards and Derrick Henry’s SEC rushing record if he stays healthy and LSU gets a chance to play in the SEC Championship Game and College Football Playoff like Henry did.

Forget about the rhetoric that you can get running backs later in the draft because Ezekiel Elliott just went fourth and Todd Gurley went tenth the year earlier and he was recovering from an ACL tear.

Depending on how the draft order shakes out, don’t be surprised if Fournette gets consideration as the first overall selection. He’d be the first running back since Penn State’s Ki-Jana Carter went No. 1 to the Cincinnati Bengals in 1995.

Next: Deshaun Watson

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