Jerome Ford

Jerome Ford

25-Year-Old Running BackRB
Cleveland Browns
2025 Fantasy Outlook
Ford curiously accepted a paycut to roughly half of his originally scheduled salary – $3.486 million to $1.75 million – but despite that development it still appears that Ford will be the primary passing-down back for Cleveland in 2025, at least initially. Ford has done a good job in that role the last two years, providing the Browns with 1,099 quality snaps and quietly making Ford one of the NFL's most active running backs in that span. That Ford lacks breakaway speed and memorable power makes it easy to overlook him, but he has been a consistent positive contributor and should continue playing around 30 snaps per game even if 36th overall selection Quinshon Judkins takes over the Browns backfield otherwise. Kevin Stefanski wants to conduct a run-heavy offense, and if he succeeds in that goal then the Browns should have plenty of work for Judkins and Ford both, especially while Judkins is a rookie. Fourth-round pick rookie Dylan Sampson likely is not a threat to take Ford's playing time, because Sampson is likely the worst of the three on passing downs and can't match Judkins as a pure runner. Read Past Outlooks
RANKS
#136.38
ADP
$Signed a four-year, $3.98 million contract with the Browns in May of 2022.
Accepts pay cut
RBCleveland Browns
Ankle
May 2, 2025
Ford (ankle) agreed to terms Friday on a salary reduction from $3.49 million to a guaranteed $1.75 million for the 2025 season, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Ford's salary reduction follows the Browns' selection of second-round running back Quinshon Judkins at No. 33 overall in April's draft, in addition to running back Dylan Sampson in the fourth round. Per Kabot, had Ford not agreed to a pay cut he would have been a trade candidate, and Cleveland may have re-signed free agent Nick Chubb (foot). With Ford's spot on the roster now essentially guaranteed, the door appears closed for Chubb to reunite with the Browns, barring damage to the team's depth. Zac Jackson and Lauren Smith of The Athletic report that Ford currently retains his hold on the top spot on the depth chart, but his pay cut is a clear indication the role will be up for grabs if Judkins logs a more impressive offseason.
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NFL Stats
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Fantasy/Red Zone Stats
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Advanced NFL Stats
How do Jerome Ford's 2024 advanced stats compare to other running backs?
This section compares his advanced stats with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average. The longer the bar, the better it is for the player.
  • Broken Tackle %
    The number of broken tackles divided by rush attempts.
  • Positive Run %
    The percentage of run plays where he was able to gain positive yardage.
  • % Yds After Contact
    The percentage of his rushing yards that came after contact.
  • Avg Yds After Contact
    The average rushing yards he gains after contact.
  • Rushing TD %
    Rushing touchdowns divided by rushing attempts. In other words, how often is he scoring when running the ball.
  • Touches Per Game
    The number of touches (rushing attempts + receptions) he is averaging per game
  • % Snaps w/Touch
    The number of touches (rushing attempts + receptions) divided by offensive snaps played.
  • Air Yards Per Game
    The number of air yards he is averaging per game. Air yards measure how far the ball was thrown downfield for both complete and incomplete passes. Air yards are recorded as a negative value when the pass is targeted behind the line of scrimmage. All air yards data is from Sports Info Solutions and does not include throwaways as targeted passes.
  • Air Yards Per Snap
    The number of air yards he is averaging per offensive snap.
  • % Team Air Yards
    The percentage of the team's total air yards he accounts for.
  • % Team Targets
    The percentage of the team's total targets he accounts for.
  • Avg Depth of Target
    Also known as aDOT, this stat measures the average distance down field he is being targeted at.
  • Catch Rate
    The number of catches made divided by the number of times he was targeted by the quarterback.
  • Drop Rate
    The number of passes he dropped divided by the number of times he was targeted by the quarterback.
  • Avg Yds After Catch
    The number of yards he gains after the catch on his receptions.
  • % Targeted On Route
    Targets divided by total routes run. Also known as TPRR.
  • Avg Yds Per Route Run
    Receiving yards divided by total routes run. Also known as YPRR.
Broken Tackle %
20.2%
 
Positive Run %
78.8%
 
% Yds After Contact
60.4%
 
Avg Yds After Contact
3.3
 
Rushing TD %
2.9%
 
Touches Per Game
10.1
 
% Snaps w/Touch
28.4%
 
Air Yards Per Game
-1.2
 
Air Yards Per Snap
-0.03
 
% Team Air Yards
-0.4%
 
% Team Targets
6.8%
 
Avg Depth of Target
-0.4 Yds
 
Catch Rate
86.0%
 
Drop Rate
2.3%
 
Avg Yds After Catch
8.1
 
% Targeted On Route
13.9%
 
Avg Yds Per Route Run
0.73
 
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2024
2023
2022
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Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
Snap Counts
Snap %
Cleveland BrownsBrowns 2024 RB Snap Distribution See more data like this | See last season's snap counts
#% of Team Snaps

49744%
22520%
18617%
18316%
172%
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Receiving Alignment Breakdown
See where Jerome Ford lined up on the field and how he performed at each spot.
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2024 Jerome Ford Split Stats
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Measurables Review View College Player Page
How do Jerome Ford's measurables compare to other running backs?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
Height
5' 10"
 
Weight
210 lbs
 
40-Yard Dash
4.46 sec
 
Vertical Jump
31.0 in
 
Broad Jump
118 in
 
Hand Length
9.13 in
 
Arm Length
30.63 in
 
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2024
2023
2022
Ford was a pleasant surprise for Cleveland last year after Nick Chubb's season-ending knee injury, to the point that Ford might have made a case as an NFL starter at some point. Of course, if Chubb is on the roster and healthy, it's not easy to see how that would happen in 2024. On the other hand, Chubb's rehab from a multi-ligament injury looks tricky, and the Browns running backs otherwise don't seem to be on Ford's level. The 2022 fifth-round pick took 50.7 percent of Cleveland's snaps in 17 games last year, generally rotating out for short-yardage work and thus losing nine rushing touchdowns to Kareem Hunt (Ford had four rushing TDs and five receiving scores). Free-agent signing Nyheim Hines could steal valuable passing-down snaps that Hunt didn't get in 2023, but Hines is rehabbing from an ACL tear of his own and might ultimately get most of his touches on special times. Apart from Chubb, D'Onta Foreman may be the biggest threat to take snaps that went to Ford last year, though Foreman's small contract suggests he's not even a lock to make the team. It thus seems likely that Ford will maintain some fantasy value if Chubb isn't ready for Week 1, even though a true workhorse role is unlikely.
Ford enters training camp as the backup to Nick Chubb, with D'Ernest Johnson gone to Jacksonville and Kareem Hunt not expected to be re-signed. Ford didn't get much of a chance as a fifth-round rookie last season, limited mostly to kick returns. He was productive at Cincinnati in 2021 with 20 touchdowns and more than 1,500 scrimmage yards, and prior to that he played ahead of Brian Robinson at Alabama. His strength (5-10, 210), speed (4.46 40) and good hands hint at enough upside that the Browns kept him around as the fourth running back last season. This season, he faces little competition for the backup job, with 2021 sixth-round pick Demetric Felton his biggest competition unless the team signs a noteworthy veteran this summer.
As the 2022 NFL draft approached, the Browns' backfield appeared well-stocked, so the selection of Ford in fifth round was unexpected. The team returns what may be the best running back duo in the game in Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. Toss in the dependable D'Ernest Johnson and 2021 sixth-rounder Demetric Felton, and it looks like Ford might be more of an addition for the future. It's worth noting that Hunt is in the final year of his contract, and the Browns hold exclusive rights on Johnson, who showcased his value as a fill-in last season. That said, Either Hunt or Johnson could be moved for an asset and if that happens there could be added opportunities for Ford, who had a monster season for the University of Cincinnati in 2021, scoring 20 touchdowns with more than 1,500 all-purpose yards. Either way, Ford's blend of strength, speed and soft hands puts him on the 2023 radar as a top backup or change-of-pace back behind Chubb.
More Fantasy News
Atop depth chart for now
RBCleveland Browns
Ankle
April 26, 2025
Ford (ankle) is atop the depth chart at running back, but that could change given the Browns' selection of Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins with the 36th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Zac Jackson and Lauren Smith of The Athletic report.
ANALYSIS
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Lands on IR
RBCleveland Browns
Ankle
January 3, 2025
Ford (ankle) has been placed on IR by the Browns.
ANALYSIS
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Ruled out for Saturday
RBCleveland Browns
Ankle
January 2, 2025
Ford (ankle) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Ravens.
ANALYSIS
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Another missed practice
RBCleveland Browns
Ankle
January 2, 2025
Ford (ankle) remained sidelined at practice Thursday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
ANALYSIS
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Not practicing Wednesday
RBCleveland Browns
Ankle
January 1, 2025
Ford (ankle) isn't taking part in practice Wednesday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Team adds two RBs in draft
RBCleveland Browns
April 27, 2025
Ford will face competition for snaps from rookies Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson, whom the Browns drafted in the second and fourth rounds, respectively.
ANALYSIS
Ford had been sitting atop Cleveland's running back depth chart after Nick Chubb's contract expired, but he'll now have to jostle for playing time with two members of the talented 2025 running back draft class. Judkins rushed for 3,785 yards and 45 touchdowns across three college seasons split between Ole Miss and Ohio State, while Sampson rushed for 1,491 yards and 22 touchdowns at Tennessee in 2024. Ford finished the 2024 season on IR due to an ankle injury, but he's expected to heal up in time to compete against the rookies in camp.
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