NFL insider picks the player the Browns are likely to trade next, and where he could end up being traded to
The Browns may soon have another trade to make.
The Cleveland Browns have already shown what kind of season it’s going to be with a couple of trades they’ve made. Cleveland is clearly looking toward the future, which makes sense given their 1-5 record so far. The Browns shipped Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals and dealt Greg Newsome II to the Jacksonville Jaguars. With the trade deadline still a couple of weeks away on Nov. 4, the Browns may not be done yet.
Browns RB Jerome Ford Could Be the Next Player Dealt
Cleveland’s running back room is now clearly led by Quinshon Judkins, and that’s been the case since he returned to action back in Week 2. Judkins hit the ground running and already has 383 rushing yards in five games with the Browns. Dylan Sampson, a fourth-round rookie, has also seen action — a sign that the team is shifting direction at the position. In the final year of his four-year rookie contract, don’t be surprised if the Browns deal Jerome Ford in the coming days or weeks.
“I’ll go with the Browns’ Jerome Ford,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler recently wrote as a potential trade target for the New England Patriots. “It’s a rookie show in Cleveland. Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson will man the backfield moving forward. The Browns have remained active in the market with three trades executed in recent weeks. And Ford has enough cachet in the league — with 1,378 rushing yards and seven touchdowns over 2023-24 — to attract interest.”
Cleveland has been using Ford primarily on third downs this season because he’s the team’s most trusted pass blocker. Judkins is a capable blocker, while Sampson hasn’t yet proven himself in that area. The Browns will likely keep Judkins on the field for more third downs and mix in Sampson on early downs as he develops, if they do trade Ford. Ford’s production has been limited this season, with just 73 rushing yards on 20 attempts.
In 2023, his second season with the Browns, Ford carried the ball for 813 yards and four touchdowns as the primary running back after Nick Chubb’s injury. The former Cincinnati Bearcat totaled 565 rushing yards in six starts and 15 games overall. Ford has also contributed on special teams in the past, handling kickoff duties, though he’s returned just eight kicks this year.
This would be a move for the Browns to gain some draft capital for a player they’re unlikely to re-sign after this season. Cleveland probably wouldn’t receive more than a late-round pick swap, but that’s better than letting Ford walk for nothing. Ford has been a solid contributor since being selected in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, but it appears Andrew Berry may soon deal away one of his own picks.
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