Browns RB Jerome Ford returned to practice Tuesday for the first time since injuring his right hamstring back on Aug. 7. Ford still has more than a week before the Sept. 10 opener against the Bengals. He also has added competition after Cleveland traded for RB Pierre Strong. We'd still stash Ford ahead of Strong in fantasy football drafts. Both are late-round options but could present significant upside in the case of a Nick Chubb injury.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that the Patriots have traded RB Pierre Strong to the Browns for OT Tyrone Wheatley Jr. Cleveland has spent August thin at RB behind Nick Chubb, with Jerome Ford out nursing a hamstring injury. ESPN's Jake Trotter projected Demetric Felton as the third RB behind Chubb and Ford before this move. The trade doesn't guarantee that Strong makes the regular-season roster. But he should be a good bet to do so. Given that Ford has just eight career NFL touches on offense, it's an upside landing spot for Strong. His departure from a Patriots roster he was expected to make leaves room for at least one among Kevin Harris, Ty Montgomery, and J.J. Taylor behind Rhamondre Stevenson and Ezekiel Elliott.
Browns HC Kevin Stefanski shared on Tuesday that RB Jerome Ford (hamstring) will not practice with the team this week, per beat reporter Mary Kay Cabot. This ailment has kept Ford out of practice for almost two weeks at this point. However, Stefanski added that Ford is progressing toward returning from injury and that the team is hopeful he'll be available for their season opener vs. the Bengals on September 10. Should Ford not be ready to go for Week 1, RB Demetric Felton would be in line for backup duties behind starter Nick Chubb. We'll keep an eye on this situation as more information becomes available.
Browns RB Jerome Ford's Week 1 status is in doubt after he injured his hamstring on Monday, according to insider Mary Kay Cabot. Ford seemingly had the No. 2 RB job -- and potentially a third-down role -- locked up. We'll see if this injury spurs the Browns to add to the backfield. Outside of Ford and Nick Chubb, the only other RBs on the roster are Demetric Felton, John Kelly, and Hassan Hall.
Per Browns reporter Tony Grossi, RB Jerome Ford suffered a right hamstring injury in Monday’s practice. He hobbled off the field to get checked out by team trainers. We’ll let you know when we hear about the severity.
Browns HC Kevin Stefanski said Sunday that the team's third-down RB job is up for grabs. "Could be Nick [Chubb], could be Jerome [Ford]," Stefanski said. Chubb played just 21% of Cleveland's third-down snaps last year, ceding most of that work to RB Kareem Hunt, who's no longer on the team. Any extra third-down work Chubb picks up this season would be a bonus -- and give him an opportunity to grow his receiving production considerably. Ford, meanwhile, seems locked in as the Chubb handcuff. If he captures the majority of the third-down work, he'd have a chance at some standalone value in PPR leagues.
Browns GM Andrew Berry has been impressed by RB Jerome Ford's ability in the passing game. "Feel really good about Jerome Ford," Berry said. "Had a strong spring, pass protection especially. We think his receiver skills are strong." That's particularly noteworthy as the Browns look to replace RB Kareem Hunt, who averaged 3.4 targets per game over the last four seasons. We're not expecting Ford to pick up all of that work -- or be a standalone fantasy option behind a healthy Nick Chubb. But this looks like further confirmation that Ford is the Chubb handcuff, barring an addition to the Cleveland backfield.
Browns RB Nick Chubb averaged a career-high 17.7 carries per game in 2022. RB coach Stump Mitchell thinks that number may increase this fall. "Well, Nick hasn’t averaged 20 carries any single year in his career," Mitchell said via the Akron Beacon Journal. "If anything, they may increase. Hopefully we'll be a lot more successful in the passing game and we'll be running the ball more in the third or fourth quarter.” Michell also said Chubb will have an “opportunity to catch more passes.” (He even said a 1,000-yard receiving season is within reach, a wild claim.) The veteran tallied 27 catches for 239 yards last season and owns a career-high of 36 catches (2019). Current projections have Chubb pegged for 300 total touches.
Per Zac Jackson of The Athletic, Browns RB Jerome Ford “is going to be given every chance to be the guy” behind Nick Chubb. Citing Cleveland’s current depth, Jackson writes: “I believe the Browns know they can find a veteran runner if necessary but won’t be in a hurry to sign one.” Some candidates include Zeke Elliott, Leonard Fournette, and perhaps a reunion with Kareem Hunt. Ford remains an excellent shot to take near the end of best ball drafts.
Browns RB Jerome Ford "appears to have a clear path to winning the No. 2 running back’s job," The Athletic's Zac Jackson writes. Cleveland let RB Kareem Hunt walk and didn't make any significant additions to the RB room this offseason. That leaves Ford with only John Kelly, Nate McCrary, and Hassan Hall to beat out for that No. 2 spot on the depth chart. Ford didn't register an offensive touch as a rookie last year but averaged 24.1 yards on 30 kick returns. He was a fifth-round pick in last year's draft after breaking out for 1,319 rushing yards and 19 TDs as a senior at Cincinnati. The 5’11, 210-pounds clocked a 4.46-second 40 time at the Combine. We don't expect Ford to have any standalone fantasy value behind a healthy Nick Chubb. But he's one injury away from a significant role.
Browns GM Andrew Berry commented on the skill set of 5th-round RB Jerome Ford. "We really think Jerome has a well-rounded game," Berry said. "A bigger guy who can really run. I actually think one of the areas in his game that’s probably a little bit understated is just his ability in the passing game. He’s a guy we think can generate explosive plays for us.” Browns scout Max Paulus added that Ford will work on his kick return ability this offseason. Of course, Ford’s more of a dynasty hold than a redraft sleeper. Behind Nick Chubb, the Browns return contract-year RB Kareem Hunt. As an RFA, D’Ernest Johnson was tendered this offseason, although he’s yet to put pen to paper. "I wouldn’t touch on any individual contract situation," Berry said. "We still think very highly of D’Ernest. Look, we would anticipate him being here moving forward, but we’ll see."
The Browns selected RB Jerome Ford in Round 5 of the 2022 NFL Draft. A 4-star high school recruit, Ford started out at Alabama before transferring to Cincinnati. He broke out as a senior with 215-1,1319-19 rushing (plus 21 catches) alongside QB Desmond Ridder. Ford’s tape shows some boom or bust tendencies, but there’s enough here in raw speed alone to pique our interest. At 5’11, 210 pounds, he ran a 4.46 forty with a strong 1.55 ten-yard split. Ford will sit behind Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt in Cleveland this year, but Hunt is set to hit free agency next offseason. Chubb is signed through 2024.
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