The loss of your franchise quarterback tends to have a big fantasy football ripple effect on an entire offensive unit. That is the situation the Cleveland Browns now face after QB Deshaun Watson has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering another shoulder injury against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 10.
How will the change under center impact the fantasy value of RB Jerome Ford for the final eight games of the season? Let’s take a closer look.
Jerome Ford’s Rest-of-Season Outlook
The Browns’ offense was dealt a big blow back in Week 2 when Cleveland lost starting RB Nick Chubb to a season-ending injury against the Pittsburgh Steelers. But they’ve managed to get enough quality contributions from Ford, Kareem Hunt, and Pierre Strong Jr. to keep the running game productive.
Unfortunately, the same can’t be said when Watson has been out of the lineup this season. In the four games where Watson has played fewer than 90% of the offensive snaps, the Browns have seen their points per game drop by six in those contests. Those same games with Watson essentially out of the lineup have also had an impact on Ford.
Ford’s production when Watson plays more than 90% of the offensive snaps:
- Averages 80 total yards, 17 total touches, and has three TDs through five games
Ford’s production when Watson plays less than 90% of the offensive snaps:
- Averages 67 total yards, 14 total touches, and has one TD through four games
Sure, the numbers may not look staggering, but the numbers are slightly down across the board when Watson is out of the lineup, which likely plays into the Browns having more trouble sustaining drives and generating scoring opportunities without their starting QB under center.
Ford’s usage in recent weeks has been encouraging, but the expected drop in efficiency from this offense pushes him down into the low-end RB2 conversation on a weekly basis and potentially limits his weekly ceiling with P.J. Walker or Dorian Thompson-Robinson at quarterback for the remainder of the 2023 season.
Should You Trade Ford?
Are you considering trading Ford? Our PFN Trade Analyzer allows you to find the best trades to make in seconds! It also allows us to see trending searches, which we’ve compiled a few of the most popular below.
Should You Trade Jerome Ford for Najee Harris?
Speaking of encouraging signs, Pittsburgh Steelers RB Najee Harris has posted 15+ fantasy points in two consecutive games while producing 69+ rushing yards and a score while seeing 16 carries in two straight weeks. The Steelers did play two struggling offensive units in those contests, but Harris has certainly looked better over the last two games than he has for the majority of the season.
Both players are sharing work with other running backs in their respective backfields, but I would still rather have Ford, who has shown more big-play capabilities than Harris this season.
Should You Trade Ford for Kyren Williams?
Los Angeles Rams RB Kyren Williams is eligible to return from injured reserve (IR) as early as Week 12 against the Arizona Cardinals and should resume his leading role upon return.
MORE: Amari Cooper’s Fantasy Value Following Deshaun Watson Injury
The Rams also have a QB who is dealing with an injury, but Matthew Stafford is trending in the right direction to be on the field in Week 11 against the Seattle Seahawks. Since Williams is unlikely to lose a significant amount of work to any other RB in Los Angeles, I would trade Ford for Williams in fantasy football.
Should You Trade Jerome Ford for Chuba Hubbard?
The ascent of Carolina Panthers RB Chuba Hubbard up the depth chart over the last month hasn’t generated the type of fantasy returns many managers hoped for in recent weeks. He has just one touchdown on the season and has topped 60 yards rushing only once this entire season.
The QB play is certainly a question mark, but I would still prefer to have Ford in my starting roster over Hubbard for the remainder of the 2023 season.
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