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Remaking the running back room was one of the biggest tasks of the 2025 offseason for Cleveland Browns GM Andrew Berry. Hence why he used two draft picks to turn the position over in short order.
Second-round pick Quinshon Judkins proved in year one – prior to a season-ending injury – that he has the potential to become the team's new franchise running back. While fifth-round pick Dylan Sampson showed some flashes as the change-of-pace back behind him.
That duo headlines a group that figures to be a strength for the Browns this fall.
Quinshon Judkins
Dylan Sampson
Raheim Sanders
Michael Burton (FB)
Ahmani Marshall
Davon Booth
TJ Harden
Judkins' status following the broken leg and dislocated ankle that ended his rookie season earlier would certainly be at the top of the list if he hadn't come out this spring looking totally healthy. There really shouldn't be any concerns on that front heading into training camp.
Instead, the biggest question with the running back room simply centers around what the depth chart will look like behind him and how many spots Cleveland can allocate to the position, particularly with a fullback spot to consider.
If Burton ends up solidifying that job, it probably means tailbacks and fullbacks will eat up four roster spots. If a tight end like Joe Royer, Jack Stoll or Carsen Ryan can prove versatile enough for the role, though, it would mean just three tailbacks probably make the final 53.
So who will slot in behind Judkins? Sampson is the obvious RB2 and Sanders feels like the front-runner for RB3. That is, unless Marshall, Booth or Harden really flashes during training camp.
Judkins picks up where he left off in 2025, showing he's a dominant workhorse running back en route to a 1,000- or 1,500-yard season. In turn, the run game is the identity of Cleveland's offense.
That last part feels like a necessity if the Browns' offense is going to be competitive this season. Of course, a strong run game depends on a good offensive line to lead the way, which remains one of the biggest mysteries about this team in general. If Andrew Berry truly fixed that group, though, Cleveland's run game will be its bread and butter.
In Monken's offense, Sampson's role also expands as he becomes an even more dangerous weapon on passing downs. Together, he and Judkins realize the full potential of the one-two punch the Browns pictured when they drafted them last year.
Of course, if Judkins' spring performance was just fools gold and he suffers any setbacks at this point, it would spell disaster for the Browns' offense. That's the absolute worst-case scenario.
However, there's also one that simply reveals Cleveland's o-line isn't actually fixed. If that group struggles, it will be tough for anyone in the running back group to find their footing. Judkins will spend another year having to make something out of nothing and the Browns' offense will look a lot like 2025.
Meanwhile, Sampson may not take a leap, and finding a complement to Judkins suddenly becomes one of the biggest offseason priorities in 2027.
Browns Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Browns. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.
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Second-round pick Quinshon Judkins proved in year one – prior to a season-ending injury – that he has the potential to become the team's new franchise running back. While fifth-round pick Dylan Sampson showed some flashes as the change-of-pace back behind him.
That duo headlines a group that figures to be a strength for the Browns this fall.
Projected Depth Chart
Quinshon Judkins
Dylan Sampson
Raheim Sanders
Michael Burton (FB)
Ahmani Marshall
Davon Booth
TJ Harden
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Judkins' status following the broken leg and dislocated ankle that ended his rookie season earlier would certainly be at the top of the list if he hadn't come out this spring looking totally healthy. There really shouldn't be any concerns on that front heading into training camp.
Instead, the biggest question with the running back room simply centers around what the depth chart will look like behind him and how many spots Cleveland can allocate to the position, particularly with a fullback spot to consider.
If Burton ends up solidifying that job, it probably means tailbacks and fullbacks will eat up four roster spots. If a tight end like Joe Royer, Jack Stoll or Carsen Ryan can prove versatile enough for the role, though, it would mean just three tailbacks probably make the final 53.
So who will slot in behind Judkins? Sampson is the obvious RB2 and Sanders feels like the front-runner for RB3. That is, unless Marshall, Booth or Harden really flashes during training camp.
Best Case Scenario
Judkins picks up where he left off in 2025, showing he's a dominant workhorse running back en route to a 1,000- or 1,500-yard season. In turn, the run game is the identity of Cleveland's offense.
That last part feels like a necessity if the Browns' offense is going to be competitive this season. Of course, a strong run game depends on a good offensive line to lead the way, which remains one of the biggest mysteries about this team in general. If Andrew Berry truly fixed that group, though, Cleveland's run game will be its bread and butter.
In Monken's offense, Sampson's role also expands as he becomes an even more dangerous weapon on passing downs. Together, he and Judkins realize the full potential of the one-two punch the Browns pictured when they drafted them last year.
Worst Case Scenario
Of course, if Judkins' spring performance was just fools gold and he suffers any setbacks at this point, it would spell disaster for the Browns' offense. That's the absolute worst-case scenario.
However, there's also one that simply reveals Cleveland's o-line isn't actually fixed. If that group struggles, it will be tough for anyone in the running back group to find their footing. Judkins will spend another year having to make something out of nothing and the Browns' offense will look a lot like 2025.
Meanwhile, Sampson may not take a leap, and finding a complement to Judkins suddenly becomes one of the biggest offseason priorities in 2027.
Browns Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Browns. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.
Continue reading...
