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Cleveland running back Jerome Ford just became the hottest name on the fantasy football waiver wire. The Browns‘ rusher filled in for an injured Nick Chubb on Monday and is making an immediate impact.
Ford has provided viewers with big plays in both the run and pass game as he tries to will his team to a victory.
In the first quarter of action, superstar Nick Chubb went down with a leg injury. A gruesome hit caused his knee to buckle, leading many to fear the worst in terms of his football future.
After seeing their starter carted off the field, the Browns turned to Jerome Ford.
The tailback is a fifth-round draft pick out of Cincinnati, though he started his college career at Alabama. As a senior, Ford totaled 1,319 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns. He added 220 receiving yards and another score.
After being selected by Cleveland in the 2022 NFL Draft, he suffered an ankle injury in Week 4 that sent him to the injured reserve list. Now, though, he’s getting his chance to shine.
Through three quarters of action, Ford has racked up more than 100 yards and a touchdown on just nine touches. He’s averaging 12.8 yards per carry, breaking off an incredible 69-yard run to set up a Cleveland go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter.
.@JeromeFord cutback and take off for 70!! 😱
📺: #CLEvsPIT on ABC
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/VA0TWdWqCF— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) September 19, 2023
Given the huge production against a solid Pittsburgh defense, his name is quickly making the rounds in fantasy football threads. He’s sure to be a popular pickup in the coming week.
jerome ford, congrats on becoming the top waiver wire pickup of the weekpic.twitter.com/AtUCQNd4B2
— Yahoo Fantasy Sports (@YahooFantasy) September 19, 2023
Fantasy Football managers emptying their FAAB budget for Jerome Ford pic.twitter.com/3vQHblfwdj
— Jay Felicio (@GMenJay) September 19, 2023
Every Fantasy Football player watching that Jerome Ford run pic.twitter.com/tgWgpOzjRq
— Devine Sports Gospel (@DevineGospel) September 19, 2023
Everyone putting in waiver claims for Jerome Ford in fantasy right now #MNF pic.twitter.com/WzN7vHLIVD
— Mile High HQ (@MileHighHQ) September 19, 2023
For those that had him riding on the bench, our condolences.
Jerome Ford fantasy managers right now 👀 pic.twitter.com/6zVMhuSYX9
— ESPN Fantasy Sports (@ESPNFantasy) September 19, 2023
Raise your hand if Jerome Ford is on your #FantasyFootball bench* 🙋
*Of course he is
— FantasyPros (@FantasyPros) September 19, 2023
Thus far, Jerome Ford has racked up more than 20 points in PPR fantasy leagues. We’ll see if he can continue the production in the fourth quarter.
He should see some more usage with the Browns leading 22-19 at the time of this writing.
