Cleveland Browns Ideal Role for Running Backs Jerome Ford and John Kelly
Learning Rookie and Practice Squad Back
Often times a Day 3 pick in the NFL Draft is a player that will be drafted essentially as a project player. What I mean by that is, that any player drafted that late is not assured to make any roster, but there is something there the team saw that they want to try and develop him for future seasons. That is the case for fifth-round pick, running back Jerome Ford.
One of the reasons Ford was taken in the fifth round is the fact that only Chubb and Felton are under contract for next season. Now, it is possible that the likes of Hunt and Johnson return next year, but that is far from certain. With the addition of Ford, it gives the Browns a little breathing room to operate.
The 5-foot-10, 210-pound Ford can be a player that could work well within this offense based largely on the fact that the offensive line is elite and can really create holes for him to run through. By no means am I comparing him to Chubb as that would just be foolish, but Ford runs a similar style as Chubb. He uses his vision and power and then has breakaway speed that isn’t talked about enough.
John Kelly has spent the majority of the past two seasons on the practice squad and that is likely his best role for the 2022 season. He ranks sixth on the running back depth chart, in my opinion, and it will be a long, uphill battle for him to make this roster.
Every team needs practice squad guys and Kelly’s role would be ideal for getting the starters ready throughout the year. Kelly did play in four games last year but only rushed two times for 13 yards. There just isn’t any room for him on this roster this year.