How this Cleveland Browns player could be a key weapon in 2025

Despite the miserable 2024 season, the Cleveland Browns may have found a key contributor to the team’s offense in running back Jerome Ford.

The former fifth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft has been disappointing since entering the league. He had limited playing time in his first season, but his role expanded in his second year due to Nick Chubb’s season-ending injury. While splitting time with former Browns running back Kareem Hunt, Ford finished the 2023 season with 813 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 204 carries.

This year, however, it was a different story for the 25-year-old tailback. In 13 games this year, Ford was the most productive of his career with 543 rushing yards and three touchdowns on just 98 carries. He showcased his big-play skills in the last two games against the Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs, totaling 176 yards on the ground on 18 attempts.

In addition to his impact in the run game, Ford has excelled through the air. The 5-foot-9 runner has 17 catches for 128 yards in the last seven games for Cleveland.

How can Ford become a key weapon in 2025?

One of the reasons the former Cincinnati Bearcat had success this year was because the Browns used several running backs this year, including Nick Chubb. Ford offers a perfect change from Cleveland’s other running backs while also being a dynamic pass catcher.

With Chubb’s future uncertain, Cleveland must capitalize on the deep running back class in the 2025 NFL Draft. An interesting name expected to be selected on the second and third days is Kansas’ Devin Neal, who rushed for 1,266 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2024.

In order for Browns general manager Andrew Berry to properly prepare the running game for the future, he needs to invest in a young running back this year to work with Ford.