The Cleveland Browns have had a run-first offense for the past several years. However, that could change in 2024 with Deshaun Watson healthy.
Cleveland traded for the superstar in March 2022 but has only gotten 12 games out of the veteran quarterback because of suspension and injury. While the Browns will have a more pass-happy offense in 2024 with a healthy Watson, the running game will still matter for fantasy football.
Which Cleveland running back should fantasy players draft this season? Nick Chubb and Jerome Ford have a similar ADP, so let’s dive into their fantasy football outlooks.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2024:- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
- Running back fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
- Tight end fantasy football rankings
- Kicker fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Superflex fantasy football rankings
- IDP fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
Nick Chubb 2024 Fantasy Football Outlook
Chubb averaged 10.6 half-point PPR fantasy points per game last year, making him the RB32 on a points-per-game basis. Unfortunately, the superstar only played in 1.5 games, totaling 28 rushing attempts for 170 yards because of a gruesome knee injury.
While the veteran will play this upcoming season, Chubb doesn’t have a target return date. Therefore, fantasy players need to temper expectations for the superstar running back.
Less than a year removed from two knee surgeries, Nick Chubb wouldn’t give us a target date for when he’s back. But WILL YOU LOOK AT THAT SMILE?! #vibes #Browns https://t.co/iZyDjpAEfQ
— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) August 18, 2024
Jerome Ford 2024 Fantasy Football Outlook
Ford had a quiet rookie season, totaling eight rushing attempts for 12 yards. However, he was productive filling in for Chubb last year. The former Cincinnati star was the RB17, averaging 11.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game.
Ford had 204 rushing attempts for 813 yards and four touchdowns. He also had 44 receptions on 63 targets for 319 receiving yards and five touchdowns last season. The third-year player should be the starter until Chubb is healthy.
JEROME FORD TO THE HOUSE.
📺: #CLEvsIND on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/iTs8HMaXlh pic.twitter.com/AAqrhM36Kz— NFL (@NFL) October 22, 2023
Who Should I Draft in Fantasy Football?
Both Cleveland running backs will have fantasy value in 2024. However, Chubb is a risky pick, especially for fantasy players without an injured reserve spot. The veteran will likely start the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list, knocking him out at least the first few weeks of the year.
Therefore, Ford is higher in my rankings because he could play in all 17 contests. Meanwhile, Chubb will likely have a limited workload this season when he returns from the injury, limiting his fantasy upside.
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!
More Fantasy Football Analysis