Saturday morning, news came that the first offensive free agent had departed the Browns, RB Jerome Ford:
A fifth-round pick of Cleveland’s in the 2022 NFL draft, the former Alabama and Cincinnati back had his best season in 2023 when he rushed for 813 yards and four touchdowns. A solid pass catcher and blocker in pass protection, Ford was targeted 30 or more times the last three seasons, including 63 targets, 44 receptions, and five receiving touchdowns in 2023.
Last season, the Browns drafted Quinshon Judkins to take over as the team’s lead back from Nick Chubb, while also drafting Dylan Sampson as a pass-catching weapon. Neither rookie was trusted regularly in pass protection, leading to Ford still earning almost 300 snaps last season despite just 24 carries.