Who Should I Start? D'Andre Swift or Jerome Ford

Saturday, August 30, 6:18 PM

Dan Wiederer of The Athletic believes Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift could surpass 1,500 yards from scrimmage this season. While that mark may not be realistic, there are more than a few reasons to believe Swift might be in line for his best year to date. Ben Johnson, the former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator and new Bears head coach, was instrumental in the success of Jamaal Williams, David Montgomery, and Jahmyr Gibbs. With Johnson "devoted" to the run and the Bears lacking proven depth in the backfield, the door is open for Swift to thrive. The 26-year-old has bounced around the National Football League since being selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. In 73 regular-season contests with the Lions, Eagles, and Bears, he's accumulated 3,688 yards and 29 touchdowns off 846 carries, adding eight more scores as a pass-catcher. Quarterback Caleb Williams will certainly get his opportunities to run in 2025. However, Swift should remain atop the depth chart as long as he's productive. If not, rookie Kyle Monangai could be the favorite to take over in the backfield.

Wednesday, September 3, 11:47 AM

Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford is listed as the starting running back on the team's depth chart heading into Cleveland's Week 1 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. Fourth-round rookie Dylan Sampson is listed as the RB2 and will reportedly work as a change-of-pace back behind Ford early in the season. Second-round rookie Quinshon Judkins should factor into the backfield mix in Cleveland at some point this season, but remains unsigned for the time being after a domestic violence incident in July. Ford has a chance to outperform his draft-day cost until Judkins is signed and fully integrated into the offense. The 25-year-old Ford profiles as an RB3/flex option in Week 1.