The San Francisco 49ers will meet with LSU running back Leonard Fournette this week, per NBC Sports Bay Area. The 49ers are permitted to host up to 30 players for visits at the team's headquarters in Santa Clara. Visitors to the team's headquarters are not allowed to work out for the team unless they are local prospects.
As a freshman, Fournette rushed for 1,034 yards and 10 touchdowns. As a sophomore, he rushed for a school-record 1,953 yards and 22 touchdowns on 300 carries. In 2016, Fournette struggled with a high ankle sprain that occurred during a camp scrimmage prior to the season. He missed five games in 2016 but still rushed for 843 yards and eight touchdowns on 129 carries.
Only one NFL.com mock draft has Fournette lasting beyond the Jacksonville Jaguars' selection at the number four spot. Is Fournette, who is considered to be the top running back available in the draft, a legitimate option for the 49ers at the number two selection? Apparently, the team is looking at every possibility. There was a rumor that the team was looking to replace running back Carlos Hyde with a player like Fournette. Hyde has had issues staying healthy since becoming a starter in 2015 and has missed 12 games over the past two seasons.
Last week, 49ers general manager John Lynch was asked about Hyde following the team's local pro day and where the running back stands. "I know that when I was a player and I went through a couple coaching changes, I think as a player, one of the great things about this league and frankly what drove me to get back into it is that you're always proving yourself, I think in particular when there's a new regime," Lynch said. "And, I hope Carlos feels that way, but I can also tell you that we're really high on him and what he might be able to do in this offense. We think he can be a highly productive player, but we're eager to see.
"You have these thoughts as to do these skills translate to what we do? He's a very talented young man and we're very excited and hopeful just in the interactions we've had that he's come ready to play."
Pro Football Focus stats to know: Led the nation in 2015 with 85 missed tackles forced.
Lance Zierlein of NFL Media, who compares Fournette to Bo Jackson, had the following to say in his scouting report:
"High-end talent with rare blend of size, speed and power. Comparisons to Adrian Peterson feel lofty, but from a physical standpoint, he's there. Fournette doesn't have the wiggle to make defenders miss and his vision can be iffy. However, if your run fits and tackling aren't sound, he can take it the distance in an instant. May have durability concerns due to physical running style, but has All-Pro potential."
Tony Pauline of Draft Analyst had the following to say in his scouting report:
"Fournette was very productive on the college level and has all the makings of a feature back for the next level. He can be a one-man wrecking crew but at the same time does the little things well and is worth selecting in the early part of Round 1."
Measurables
Height: 6-0
Weight: 240 lbs.
Arm length: 31 5/8 inches
Hand length: 9 1/4 inches
NFL Scouting Combine
40-time: 4.51 seconds
Vertical: 28.5 inches
College Statistics
| Year | G | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Rec | Yds | TD |
| 2014 | 13 | 187 | 1,034 | 5.5 | 10 | 7 | 127 | 0 |
| 2015 | 12 | 300 | 1,953 | 6.5 | 22 | 19 | 253 | 1 |
| 2016 | 7 | 129 | 843 | 6.5 | 8 | 15 | 146 | 0 |
| Totals | 32 | 616 | 3,830 | 6.2 | 40 | 41 | 526 | 1 |
