Who Should I Start? Jerome Ford or Isaac Guerendo

Wednesday, July 9, 3:20 PM

According to Zac Jackson of The Athletic, Cleveland Browns veteran running back Jerome Ford is likely to open the 2025 season in the RB1 role. The team just selected former Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins and former Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson in the first four rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft, so this backfield could be difficult to navigate for fantasy football purposes. However, Ford's familiarity with Kevin Stefanski and his pro experience could give him the early nod. The 25-year-old has flashed at times over the last two seasons, compiling 308 carries for 1,378 yards and seven touchdowns. However, the Browns' selecting two rookie running backs should tell us they are not all that satisfied with Ford as the unquestioned RB1. Even if he starts the season as the touch-leader in the backfield, this will likely be a fluid situation based on which Cleveland ball carrier performs well in the preseason and during the regular season. With the Nick Chubb era officially over, the Browns backfield is being reshaped, and one of Ford, Judkins, or Sampson could be a tremendous value pick.

Friday, June 6, 12:54 PM

San Francisco 49ers running back Isaac Guerendo (ankle, knee) has been taking part in voluntary organized team activities this spring after injuring his MCL and spraining his ankle in the Week 18 regular-season finale last year. Guerendo, a fourth-round pick (129th overall) in 2024, should be a full-go for the start of mandatory minicamp on June 10. All-Pro Christian McCaffrey (knee) is also back and ready to roll after missing the majority of the 2024 campaign, so Guerendo will enter the 2025 season as the backup, but Jordan Mason was traded to the Minnesota Vikings and Elijah Mitchell left in free agency. The 24-year-old Guerendo had 5.0 yards per carry on his 84 rushing attempts last year for 420 yards and four touchdowns in 16 games (three starts), adding 15 catches for 152 yards through the air. Consider him a high-upside handcuff behind the injury-prone CMC.