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 saw little time during the first season, but eventually expanded his role during 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, is a different story for the 25-year-old. 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 demonstrated his ability to play big in the last two games against the Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs, totaling 176 rushing yards on 18 attempts.

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

So how can Ford become a key weapon in 2025?

Part of the reason the former Cincinnati Bearcat found success this year was because the Browns used multiple running backs this year, like Nick Chubb. Ford provides a perfect change of pace compared to Cleveland’s other running backs, while also being a dynamic pass catcher.

With Chubb’s future up in the air, Cleveland must capitalize on the rich running back class in the 2025 NFL Draft. An intriguing name that should be a pick for Days 2 and 3 is Kansas’ Devin Neal, who has rushed for 1,266 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2024.

For Browns general manager Andrew Berry to properly set up the running game for the future, he needs to invest in a young running back this year to pair with Ford.