JeromeFord

News: 6 days agoFord carried the ball twice for four yards in Saturday's 23-10 preseason loss to the Packers.

Spin: The 24-year-old running back got the start for Cleveland's preseason opener but played only one series before Pierre Strong took over. Ford is expected to begin the regular season as the No. 1 option in the backfield, and even once Nick Chubb (knee) is cleared to return to action, the 2022 fifth-round pick should still have a significant role while Chubb ramps up his workload.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Ford enters his third season with the Browns after posting career highs in rushing and receving yards in 2023. In relief of Nick Chubb (knee) during the Week 2 game versus the Steelers, Ford dropped 24.1 fantasy points on the Pittsburgh defense, while he averaged 12.9 points from Weeks 3 through 17. Ford has the lateral agility and power to shed tacklers, plus the straight-line speed to create explosive plays in the run and pass game. With the uncertainty of Chubb's recovery from injury, Ford should be drafted in all formats with the potential upside of taking on a volume role this season.