Former Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette became a surprise free agent this week after his release by his ex-team. According to a new report from The Athletic's Jeff Howe, the New England Patriots have emerged as a top suitor for the free agent rusher.

Fournette was shockingly released by the Jaguars this week after no trade materialized between the AFC South franchise and another club, with head coach Doug Marrone claiming they couldn't even get a late-round draft pick as a return for the fourth-year running back.

Howe's intel contradicts a previous report earlier in the day by NFL Network's Mike Giardi stating the Patriots were not interested in Fournette.

Fournette rushed for over 1,100 yards during the 2019 season for the Jaguars in 15 games, also recording 522 receiving yards and scoring three total touchdowns after a hamstring injury sidelined him for half of the 2018 campaign.

The Patriots' running back corps is led by Sony Michel and recent addition Lamar Miller, who is coming off an ACL tear in 2019 with the Houston Texans and was recently activated off the physically unable to perform (PUP) list by New England.

New England will look drastically different during the 2020 NFL season after the departure of longtime star quarterback Tom Brady. However, the running back room appears to be a highlight for the club and may provide the biggest punch on offense given the uncertainty of former NFL MVP Cam Newton under center.

That may depend on the health of both Miller and Michel, though, both of whom were activated off the PUP in the last few weeks. The Patriots also have James White on the roster, as many expect the arrival of Newton could signal head coach Bill Belichick going for a run-first type of offense.

After clearing waivers this week, Fournette is free to sign with any NFL franchise following his three-year tenure in Jacksonville.