Jerome Ford was one of two running backs who made it through 53-man roster cuts, the other being Pierre Strong who has always been in a reserve role for the Browns. While they’ve since resigned D’onta Foreman as added depth, Ford has a clear path to a significant workload to start the season. Nick Chubb is Ford’s biggest competition, who is still recovering from the second significant injury to his left leg and will start the season on the PUP list. Nyheim Hines is also still working his way back from injury but may provide some competition to Ford later in the season on passing downs.

Ford stepped up for the Browns when Chubb went down last year, having 12 or more carries in nine games last season on the ground, while adding 44 receptions and 5 receiving touchdowns through the air. Ford’s ability to contribute in both phases make him a value at his current RB35 ADP, especially in full-PPR formats. Nick Chubb will eventually return and complicate things, but Ford will post consistent production to start the season and should be targeted by fantasy teams looking to get off to fast start in 2024.