Browns Select Jerome Ford

   I didn't spend very much time on running backs when prepping for the Cleveland Browns preview posts but in hindsight, that was an error as the Browns added Cincinnati running back Jerome Ford with their fifth-round draft choice.

After the Browns selected Ford, I began to think about why and then I realized that Kareem Hunt and D'Ernest Johnson are unrestricted free agents at the end of 2022 and it makes a lot of sense to bring Ford into the depth chart as the possible, if not likely second back for 2023 behind Nick Chubb.

Ford began his career at Alabama and after two seasons as a reserve transferred to Cincinnati for two seasons- one as a starter.

Ford rushed for 1,320 yards and scored nineteen touchdowns for the undefeated Bearcats in 2021 as their every-down back and caught twenty-one passes out of the backfield.

At 5'10 and 215 pounds, Ford is a little undersized for the position but he is a fierce blocker, can catch the ball well, and is physical after the initial hit.

Sounds a lot like Kareem Hunt to me and seems to be an excellent fit as the future backup for Nick Chubb.

Running backs are never guarantees but it is the position that seems to produce the highest number of breakout performers from late-round picks and unsigned free agents.

I wouldn't go as far to say Jerome Ford is a future star but he does seem to be set to be a solid backup at a reasonable price at a time when the Browns will lose a chunk of their running back depth,