The top priority for the New England Patriots in Week 8 is to extend their winning streak to four games. But with the Cleveland Browns coming to town, it could also be a scouting opportunity.
The 5-2, first-place Patriots are on the way up in Mike Vrabel’s first year as head coach. The Browns, meanwhile, look destined for another lost season, which means they could (and probably should) be sellers at the NFL trade deadline.
While Cleveland probably isn’t going to be shopping someone like Myles Garrett, the Browns do have depth pieces who could be of interest to contenders across the league. One such player is running back Jerome Ford, who could certainly be an option for a Patriots team reportedly looking for backfield help.
In a story highlighting 25 trade candidates ahead of the Nov. 4 deadline, ESPN.com listed the Patriots as a potential fit for Ford, a fourth-year back out of Cincinnati.
“The Browns are open to dealing Ford, who has 1,463 career rushing yards and 12 scrimmage touchdowns. The tailback market hasn’t intensified, though,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote. “Teams with needs at the position haven’t been overly active — at least not yet.”
Is Browns Running Back Trade Deadline Option for Patriots?
As Fowler notes, Ford might become expendable by Cleveland’s desire to get younger at the position. Rookie back Quinshon Judkins has gotten nearly 70% of the Browns’ rushes, and Cleveland is obviously committed to the 2025 second-round pick.
Ford, meanwhile, has seen his snap counts significantly decrease year over year. Last season, he started six of his 14 games, playing 54% of the snaps in those games. This season, he’s seeing the field just 39% of the time when the Browns have the ball.
Where Ford has made a slight impact is in the passing game. He’s been targeted 23 times through seven games, catching 20 of those targets for 77 yards. He’s been a reliable safety valve for a few seasons. His overall best season came in 2023 when he not only set a career high with 813 rushing yards but also hauled in 44 passes for 319 yards and five receiving touchdowns.
Cleveland has also leaned on him as a kick returner. Ford has eight returns this season, averaging 22.6 yards per return. That sort of skill set seemingly makes him a decent replacement option for Antonio Gibson, whom the Patriots utilized in the passing game and as a returner before he suffered a season-ending ACL tear.
“Ford is a strong runner with explosive straight-line speed, and he also can produce numbers as a receiver,” ESPN’s Matt Bowen wrote. “Ford had 36 rushes of 10 or more yards across 2023 and 2024, and he has 101 career receptions in four seasons. Ford fits best as a rotational back.”
It might be wise for Cleveland to up Ford’s touches in Week 8 if it hopes to showcase the 26-year-old.
Patriots’ Trade Deadline Plans Still Unclear
Despite one report indicating the Patriots could be looking at the running back market, another insider isn’t so sure.
The Athletic’s Dianna Russini tucked a New England trade nugget into a recent notebook piece previewing the deadline.
“The Patriots are not making calls for a running back, but they have talked to teams about pass rushers,” she reported recently. “They’re fielding calls on several of their own players as well.”
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