Jerome Ford | Cincinnati 5’10.5” 210 lbs. | 9/12/1999 (Age 22)
Jerome Ford was drafted with the 13th pick of the fifth round by the Cleveland Browns, becoming the 14th running back and 156th overall player selected in the 2022 NFL Draft.
COLLEGE PRODUCTION
Jerome Ford committed to Alabama as a four-star recruit where he played two seasons for the Crimson Tide but was buried behind Josh Jacobs, Damien Harris, Najee Harris, and Brian Robinson Jr. on the depth chart. He was given minimal work during those years but then transferred to Cincinnati heading into his junior season. As a junior, he split the backfield with Gerrid Doaks (a seventh-round pick last season) and recorded 483 yards and four TDs on just 73 carries. This past season, he was the lead back for the Bearcats, garnering first-team All-American Athletic Conference accolades with a team-high 1,319 rushing yards on 215 carries and ranking seventh in the FBS with a school-record-tying 19 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 21 passes for 220 yards with one TD helping lead Cincinnati to the college football playoff for the first time in school history.
ATHLETIC TESTING
Ford ran a nice 40 time of 4.46 seconds but failed to impress in his jumps, mustering just a 31” vertical and a 118” broad jump. He chose not to participate in any of the other athletic tests. He looks better on film than he tested.
DRAFT ANALYSIS
Rapid Reaction to Draft Capital: Below-Average
Rapid Reaction to Landing Spot: Average
Jerome Ford was selected with the 156th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns.
FANTASY INSIGHTS
A talented back who boasts NFL-ready size, strength, and speed, Jerome Ford landed in a decent spot with Cleveland. Though his fifth-round draft capital is lower than desired, he will have an opportunity to learn behind a talented stable of RBs in Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, and D’Ernest Johnson. Ford does have more than adequate hands, so he could potentially be used in a change of pace, two-minute, or third down role this season if there is an injury or two ahead of him. He will most likely never serve as a lead back in the NFL, but pass-catching backs who garner 10-15 touches a game (which could be in his future as early as 2023) carry fantasy value. Expect to see him selected in the middle of the third round of your dynasty rookie drafts.
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