Who Should I Start? Jerome Ford or Tyjae Spears

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.

Wednesday, June 18, 3:04 PM

Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears has impressed this offseason, according to team writer Jim Wyatt. "Spears looked explosive on the field this offseason, when he got plenty of work," Wyatt wrote. "While Tony Pollard got the bulk of the work last fall, Spears showed flashes at different times. If he can stay healthy, he seems poised to be a consistent playmaker in 2025." The 2023 third-round pick out of Tulane struggled to stay healthy last season, missing five games due to multiple injuries. Overall, he tallied 84 rushing attempts for 312 yards and four scores to go with 30 receptions for 224 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown in 12 games. Titans head coach Brian Callahan has hinted at more of a split backfield in 2025, and the team could opt to use the "hot hand" approach. Fantasy managers should not rely on Spears as an RB2, RB3, or flex option to begin next year's campaign, but he's an intriguing handcuff stash and late-round draft dart throw in most formats. If No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward exceeds expectations in Year 1, the Tennessee offense could have more upside than suggested by the cost of the Titans' players in fantasy drafts.