Who Should I Start? Tony Pollard or Jerome Ford

Wednesday, August 6, 1:06 PM

Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard is listed as the RB1 on the team's first unofficial preseason depth chart ahead of Tyjae Spears. Meanwhile, Spears is listed as the co-RB2 with rookie Kalel Mullings. Head coach Brian Callahan has envisioned more of an even split in this year's backfield between Pollard and Spears, and ESPN's Jeremy Fowler said earlier this week that "people I've talked to in Tennessee believe Spears has positioned himself for an uptick" in opportunities after he averaged 9.5 touches per game last year. Assuming everyone is healthy, Pollard is probably the RB1, but the margin figures to shrink between he and Spears in 2025. It puts Pollard more on the RB2/3 borderline, while Spears is a decent RB4/flex target in PPR leagues or as a handcuff to Pollard. In his first year in Tennessee, Pollard had a career-high 1,079 rushing yards and five TDs on 260 carries.

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.