analyst
Quinshon Judkins Returns to Team Drills on Tuesday
Quinshon Judkins returns to team drills after an undisclosed injury
Dylan Sampson
RB · CLE · 21 yrs · exp 1 · Tennessee
Status
- Game status
- Active
Keep Trade Cut (SF TEP)
From latest snapshot · trend vs ~7d prior when data allows.
Value
2,568
Rank
#191
Pos rank
#54
7d trend
—
Value history (90d)
One snapshot point per calendar day (shown in your timezone).
Latest: Sep 7, 2026 · 2,568
News
Stories linked to this player — newest first.
RB · CLE
analyst
Quinshon Judkins Primed for Workhorse Role
Quinshon Judkins is expected to be the workhorse in the Cleveland Browns' offense
analyst
Browns Think Quinshon Judkins "Can Play All Three Downs"
Cleveland Browns running backs coach Duce Staley said that RB Quinshon Judkins has "worked his ass off" to come back from his dislocated ankle and fractured fibula in Week 16 of his rookie campaign in 2025, according to Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN. "The sky is the limit ... I think that Q can play all three downs," Staley added. The 22-year-old former second-rounder from Ohio State is an emerging young RB, and although his fantasy ceiling could be limited by Cleveland's offense (especially their QB situation), Judkins is becoming a more attractive RB2 candidate for fantasy managers for what could be lots of volume. In 14 starts in his first NFL season in 2025, Judkins averaged only 3.6 yards per carry to finish with 827 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 230 carries. He added 26 receptions for 171 yards on 36 targets in the passing game. Judkins' fantasy ceiling could be limited with Dylan Sampson serving as the Browns' top pass-catching back, but it's clear Judkins' arrow is pointing up. RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 22 RB for 2026
general
Cleveland Browns training camp 2026: RB preview – Judkins starts, but who is after him?
Next up on our training camp preview is the running back position. Although the top end of the depth chart didn’t see much change this offseason, there will be a battle on the back end of the depth chart, which could be a player who gets valuable reps when you consider how the Ravens utilized their backs under Todd Monken . Height: 6-0 | Weight: 221 lbs | Age: 22 Experience: 2 years | College: Ohio State Taken in the second round of last year’s draft, Quinshon Judkins , along with Harold Fannin , were the two bright spots of the Browns’ offense last year. Judkins missed much of training camp last year with his legal issue, and then missed the final two games of the season with an ankle dislocation and fractured fibula. Everything in between was an admirable rookie season for Judkins, who finished with 230 carries for 827 yards (3.6 YPC) and 7 TD to go along with 26 catches for 171 yards. He found more success in his first four games, averaging 4.82 YPC, as opposed to his final 10 games, when he averaged 3.04 YPC. With how poor the Browns’ offensive line and receivers were playing, the general sentiment was that the running backs didn’t stand much of a chance, no matter who you put back there. Judkins passed the eye test of a quality starting back, and enough of a worthy successor to Nick Chubb . Judkins isn’t a dynamic receiver, but can do the basics there. However, that also means we’re likely to see a healthy dose of Dylan Sampson in third down situations. Final Roster Odds: 100% Height: 5-8 | Weight: 200 lbs | Age: 21 Experience: 2 years | College: Tennessee When the Browns drafted two running backs last year, it was a pretty clear signal that the team was “out with the old” ( Nick Chubb , Jerome Ford ) and “in with the new.” Yes, Ford was on the roster last year as insurance, but he was not retained this offseason. As a rookie, Dylan Sampson really struggled to find running lanes behind Cleveland’s battered offensive line. He finished with 65 carries for 175 yards (2.7 YPC). As a receiver, he had 33 catches for 271 yards and 2 TD. Considering he had 8 catches for 64 yards in the season opener, I think with a better offense, there is hope he can be a solid receiving threat out of the backfield in a more competent offense. But there’s also something to be said about his one-dimensional nature, if that doesn’t improve. He, along with Judkins, also struggled in pass protection as rookies. It’ll be interesting to see if that compels Todd Monken to turn to another back when he comes to giving Judkins a breather. Final Roster Odds: 100% Height: 6-0 | Weight: 230 lbs | Age: 24 Experience: 2 years | College: South Carolina Andrew Berry acquired Raheim “Rocket” Sanders off waivers after final roster cuts last season from the Chargers . Sanders immediately got the call as a short yardage back in Week 1, having 3 carries for 3 yards and 1 TD. Then, with Judkins returning, Sanders was inactive or did not play until the final three games of the year. For the season, he had 27 carries for 92 yards (3.4 YPC) and 1 TD to go along with 3 catches for 21 yards. Here is an example of one of Sanders’ blitz pickups during that final stretch of games. It put some positive things on tape, and I thought he showed some encouraging things to indicate he can contribute on gameday. Then, it comes down to a strategic coaching decision, since he offers a similar style to Judkins, but you may want that contrasting nature between Judkins and Sampson. Final Roster Odds: 80% Height: 6-1 | Weight: 225 lbs | Age: 24 Experience: 1 year | College: Appalachian State Ahmani Marshall was the Browns undrafted free agent back last year, and he had a solid showing in preseason and training camp, running 24 times for 88 yards (3.7 YPC) and 1 TD to go along with 4 catches for 20 yards. Despite that, he was essentially a redshirt as a rookie. When the team knew they would be without Judkins, Sampson, or Ford at times, they instead turned to the likes of [... truncated ...]
analyst
Is Quinshon Judkins Undervalued by Current Redraft ADP?
Quinshon Judkins may be undervalued in current redraft ADP due to his safe production floor and potential for increased efficiency in 2026
general
The Browns biggest “X-factor” on offense in 2026
The Cleveland Browns have expectations of not being one of the league’s worst clubs for a second consecutive year. GM Andrew Berry worked overtime this offseason to address the weak spots and bring in new players to replace those who weren’t getting it done. Training camp is approaching, and the air will be very clear on the final 53-man roster and who is in and who is out. The focus will then be on which players will fit best at all positions. RELATED: ANALYZING HOW RB ROOM COULD SHAKE OUT There are many good-to-great players on this year’s roster, and still some problem areas. But there is one player on offense who can change the narrative and perhaps be the difference in games. While most would point to the quarterback position as being the key component to success this year, the fact is, RB Quinshon Judkins brought the Browns’ running game back to the forefront as a viable option for this offense. The running game should be the main focus going forward in Todd Monken’s offense. It will take a solid running back with Judkins and Dylan Sampson , with a dose of Rocket Sanders thrown in. The offensive line is redesigned for the run game, and guys love to run block. This does cut down on the number of passes thrown. But the passing game still needs to be successful and prevalent when called upon. The ideal situation would be for the rushing attack to consume 65%-70% of plays. Whether that becomes true for each game will be determined as the season rolls along. He is the guy who can rush 23-25 carries a game and take on that workload. The player who will be this year’s offensive “X-factor” is running back Quinshon Judkins. The offense will get back to featuring two tight end sets. That requires two exceptional bodies to man the positions. The passing game needs to be the complement and not the focus. In order to do this, the offense will require qualified pass catchers and a running back who can control the clock. Judkins had a good year before he became injured in the Week 16 loss to the Buffalo Bills . What happened at that point was that he was the darling of the RB room. But he suffered a dislocated ankle and also fractured his fibula. The injuries placed him on IR, thus ending his season. In-game action after Q became injured, the offense’s run game almost completely collapsed. Buffalo: Rocket Sanders, 11 carries for 42 yards, plus Shedeur Sanders ’ 4 carries for 49 yards Pittsburgh : Three runners, 21 carries for 58 yards, plus Sanders’ 4 carries for 20 yards Cincinnati : Four runners, 21 carries for 94 yards, plus Sanders’ 3 carries for 24 yards It is realized that the MVP of the offense will either become TE Harold Fannin or whoever becomes the starting quarterback. Nobody is disputing this. But it is Q who will become the juice to get the offense’s motor going. Judkins didn’t even make the NFL All-Rookie roster, and may have a problem staying healthy. He came to Cleveland as a huge playmaker, but is his health going to be an issue every season? The bonus with Judkins is that he is an outstanding pass catcher with size. He was utilized often in the passing game with 36 targets, 26 receptions for 171 yards, and 7 first-down conversions. Judkins is a willing blocker, although his technique needs improvement and more tutelage. But all of these qualities have illustrated that he is a complete player and willing to do the dirty work. In just 14 games, Judkins had 827 rushing yards on 230 carries, 50 first-down conversions, and scored 7 touchdowns. In comparison, in Nick Chubb ’s rookie season, he rushed for 996 yards on 192 carries, scored 8 TDs, and had 47 first-down conversions. The offensive line has been revamped, so this should allow each runner the ability to find holes and gaps this year. His injury last year was nasty, so how ready he’ll be to go full speed by the start of camp is merely a guess at this point. When completely healthy, the focal point of the offense will become Judkins and the run ga [... truncated ...]
general
NFL offseason power rankings: No. 29 Cleveland Browns start over again after trading Myles Garrett
Regardless of whether you think the Cleveland Browns did well with the Myles Garrett trade , it should've been a moment of self-reflection for the franchise. And that look in the mirror couldn't have been reassuring. The Browns drafted one of the best defensive players in NFL history when they took Garrett first overall in 2017. He has surpassed his peers and should be compared to players such as Lawrence Taylor, Reggie White, Bruce Smith and others at that historic level. Garrett's record-setting, 23-sack season put him in that echelon. And the Browns had practically no team success with him in nine seasons: two playoff appearances, one postseason victory, no division titles. They went 54-79-1 in games Garrett played. He overlapped one season with Joe Thomas, a Hall of Fame offensive tackle who never made the playoffs in 11 Browns seasons. Resetting and rebuilding are always tough, but at least they usually lead somewhere. Not in Cleveland. The latest version of starting over now includes one of the biggest trades in NFL history. Garrett was sent to the Los Angeles Rams for defensive end and 2025 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse , a first-round draft pick in 2027, a second-round pick in 2028 and a third-round pick in 2029. That's a lot in return. But will the Browns take advantage of it? History says no. There's a reason Garrett made a trade request in 2025. Maybe this time will be different. There's a decent foundation being built, though the team's indefinite quest to find a quarterback looms over everything. Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2026 NFL season A strong 2025 NFL Draft haul injected more talent into the roster. Last year's rookie class got strong contributions from defensive tackle Mason Graham , linebacker and NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Carson Schwesinger , running backs Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson , and tight end Harold Fannin Jr. The Browns also picked up an extra 2026 first-round pick in a trade down with the Jacksonville Jaguars . Despite all those good vibes and one of the better defenses in the NFL led by one of the all-time great individual seasons in league history, the Browns finished 5-12 and don't have much hope to be much better this season. We all know why, and it's a familiar story. The Browns had a hideous offense last season due to miserable quarterback play. They were 32nd in offensive DVOA , passer rating, passing yards per play, offensive success rate and passing EPA ( expected points added ) per play, and they were 31st in overall EPA per play. Their passer rating as a team was 69.9, an incredibly low mark in the modern NFL. Only three other teams were below 80, and nobody else was below 75. And now the Browns seem to believe their best solution might be a veteran whom they already publicly said was a mistake. In March 2025, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam seemingly threw in the towel on Deshaun Watson, who has the dubious combination of being the centerpiece of the worst trade in NFL history and signing the worst contract in NFL history. "We took a big swing-and-miss with Deshaun," Haslam said in 2025. "We thought we had the quarterback. We didn't, and we gave up a lot of draft picks to get him. So we've got to dig ourselves out of that hole." Watson didn't play a game last season, but late last year, the Browns started pushing the idea of him starting in 2026. That has played out in minicamp, with Watson and Shedeur Sanders battling for QB1 while Dillon Gabriel also lingers in the competition. Watson has been a stunning bust for the Browns since their huge 2023 trade and his fully guaranteed, $230 million deal; he has been arguably the worst quarterback in the NFL over that time. That the Browns, after saying trading for him was a mistake, would entertain the idea of turning back to him says they are impossibly desperate — or don't really grasp the concept of a "sunk cost." The only logical conclusion from the Browns playing Watson an [... truncated ...]
RB · CLE
general
Spurs silence MSG with Game 3 victory over Knicks; Texas Tech's Brendan Sorsby eligible for 2026 season
The San Antonio Spurs defeated the New York Knicks in Game 3 at Madison Square Garden, snapping the Knicks' playoff winning streak. Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle were key contributors for the Spurs, while De'Aaron Fox also had a strong performance. Knicks coach Mike Brown expressed dissatisfaction with the officiating. In NFL news, Dylan Sampson of the Browns was highlighted as a potential breakout star
RB · CLE
outlook
2026 Season Outlook
sleeper-outlook+1 story · 30dSource unavailable
Sampson never caught many passes in college and more so excelled as a runner, so it was a little odd how Sampson's rookie year box score was so promising with its pass-catching production yet with a complete dud in the ground game. Sampson (5-8, 200) is smallish and certainly looks more like a pass-catching back than a volume runner, so it's encouraging that he showed the ability to pile up PPR points as a rookie, lessening the pressure on his rushing production for fantasy viability. If Sampson can make a fantasy impact without rushing volume then it would allow him to remain in the fantasy starter conversation, even if only as a flex type in PPR scoring. Quinshon Judkins is the clear starter and is likely to approach 20 carries in a game before Sampson gets to eight in the same contest, but Sampson should see upwards of 30 snaps in the same hypothetical and given Sampson's 2025 target rate (40 on 249 snaps) there could be an average of something like five targets per game as long as he hovers around that 30-snap mark. Sampson not only drew targets at a high frequency, he closed the deal as a receiver by catching 33 of 40 targets for 271 yards and two touchdowns. Even if the Browns passing game improves a great deal in 2026, no offense can turn down pass-catching production like that from the running back position, where Sampson's 82.5-percent catch rate at 6.8 yards per target compels sustained usage if not increased usage
analyst
Dylan Sampson's Role in Cleveland Looks Secure Heading into 2026
A fourth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson collected 446 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns on 98 touches across 15 games as a rookie. The 21-year-old carved out a consistent role as a receiver out of the backfield, hauling in 33 receptions for 271 yards and two scores on 40 targets. Heading into 2026, Quinshon Judkins profiles as the clear lead back in Cleveland. However, the Browns did not make any notable additions to the backfield and let veteran back Jerome Ford walk in free agency. As a result, Sampson currently projects as the team's RB2 and should see the majority of the third and obvious passing-down snaps. He also carries value as a handcuff option behind Judkins, who is recovering from a dislocated ankle that ended his 2025 campaign. In dynasty formats, Sampson could be a worthy low-cost target for fantasy managers ahead of 2026
RB · CLE
transaction
FA: Dylan Sampson added
sleeper-tx-free_agent+1 story · 30dSource unavailable
Adds: Dylan Sampson
RB · CLE
analyst
Dylan Sampson in a Good Spot After NFL Draft
Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson led the team in targets and receptions out of the backfield as a fourth-round rookie in 2025, and his role appears to be secure heading into his second season. After double-dipping at the position last year, the Browns made no additions to the running back room in the 2026 NFL Draft, though they did make improvements to the offense as a whole, which could create more scoring opportunities for both Sampson and 2025 second-round pick Quinshon Judkins, who appears to be on track for the season opener after suffering a dislocated ankle in Week 16. Cleveland spent the ninth overall pick on offensive tackle Spencer Fano before adding wide receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston within 15 picks of one another in the first and second rounds, transforming a position of weakness into one of potential strength. The Browns still head into 2026 with a less-than-ideal quarterback situation, though negative game scripts could work in the favor of Sampson if he's able to fully take hold of the dedicated passing back role, and at RotoBaller's dynasty RB51, he offers clear upside as a low-cost trade target or add-on to a larger deal
RB · CLE
analyst
Dylan Sampson works with first-team in start of offseason program
Dylan Sampson was the lead back at the start of the Browns offseason program. Quinshon Judkins was present, but he is still rehabbing his leg injury. Sampson is expected to be the primary backup when Judkins is healthy
RB · CLE
transaction
Waiver: Dylan Sampson added
sleeper-tx-waiver+1 story · 30dSource unavailable
Adds: Dylan Sampson
RB · CLE
transaction
FA: Dylan Sampson dropped
sleeper-tx-free_agent+1 story · 30dSource unavailable
Drops: Dylan Sampson
RB · CLE
transaction
FA: Dylan Sampson dropped
sleeper-tx-free_agent+1 story · 30dSource unavailable
Drops: Dylan Sampson
RB · CLE
RB · CLE
analyst
Raheim Sanders gets six touches in win
Raheim Sanders ran five times for 26 yards and caught his only target for seven yards in the Browns' 20-18 win over the Bengals on Sunday. Sanders played second fiddle to Dylan Sampson in this game, having exactly half the touches as Sampson. If the Browns retain him for 2026, he's likely the RB3 and will have little value other than as a handcuff
analyst
Raheim Sanders Limited By Backfield Committee in Cleveland
Cleveland Browns running back Raheim Sanders has seen an increased role in recent weeks after Browns RB1 Quinshon Judkins (leg, ankle) suffered season-ending lower leg injuries in Week 16. After Judkins went down, Sanders recorded 11 carries for 42 yards and looked like the team's lead back for the remainder of Week 16. However, Browns running back Dylan Sampson returned from calf and hand injuries in Week 17, cutting Sanders' usage. In Week 17, Sanders racked up just 21 yards rushing on eight carries. With Sampson functioning as Cleveland's primary receiving back and Trayveon Williams soaking up backfield work as well, the Browns appear to be operating with a full-on backfield committee. Even in a favorable matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals in Cleveland's regular-season finale on Sunday, Sanders carries limited upside. Fantasy managers are safe to avoid Sanders in Week 18
analyst
Raheim Sanders Worth a Look on Week 18 Waiver Wires
Cleveland Browns undrafted rookie running back Raheim Sanders was a popular waiver wire add in Week 17, with Quinshon Judkins (leg, ankle) lost for the year and Dylan Sampson's status uncertain heading into a divisional matchup with the Steelers. Sampson was eventually cleared to play despite his hand injury, and neither rookie was able to do much in a 13-6 win. Approaching a Week 18 matchup with the Bengals with no playoff implications, we've reached the point in the year where many teams opt to see what they've got in some of their unproven rookies. Unfortunately, Sampson also fits into this category, so another frustrating split is entirely possible. However, if either back is given the majority of the work, Cincinnati has been the most generous defense to opposing running backs all season long, providing an opportunity for one final RB1 performance
Data comes from cached Sleeper and KTC snapshots. Values update when the sync jobs run.