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The Cleveland Browns continued to invest in their ground attack on Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft, selecting running back Dylan Sampson at pick 126.
Despite boasting earlier additions to the backfield, this move has draft analysts buzzing about the potential value and fit of the young playmaker. Sampson's intriguing blend of instincts, patience, and explosive speed, particularly in the red zone, suggests he could be a significant asset for the Browns. Many believe Cleveland landed a steal, considering Sampson's pre-draft ranking.
Let's delve into why Dylan Sampson might just be the hidden gem to further power the Browns' rushing attack and complement their existing talent.
Sampson, despite only one season as a lead back, showcases impressive instincts and a knack for gaining yards after contact. What truly distinguishes him is his exceptional feel for timing, spacing, and understanding of blocking schemes. He patiently reads lane development in real time and adheres to the play's design, yet possesses the agility to improvise when necessary. Additionally, when in the redzone, Samspon has a different gear, often finding a way to get the ball to the promised land.
Projecting as a strong RB2 in a gap-scheme offense, Sampson's blend of home-run speed and remarkable patience carves a clear path for potential success in the Browns' backfield when we eventually move on from Jerome Ford as a nearly 1:1 replacement. While his size and average outside vision might not suit every team, his skill set appears tailor-made to complement the bruising Quinshon Judkins we took earlier in the draft.
The Cleveland Browns snagged a potential steal at pick 126 in running back Dylan Sampson. In a draft deep with running back talent, Sampson distinguishes himself with his youthful profile and exceptional raw speed, especially at this point in the draft.
Many draft analysts projected Sampson to be off the board much earlier, with Arif Hasan's Consensus Big Board placing him as the 76th overall prospect. This significant discrepancy in value suggests the Browns have acquired a player with considerable upside and athleticism far later than anticipated. Sampson's addition injects a dynamic speed element into their backfield at an excellent draft position.
With the additions of Quinshon Judkins, coupled with the existing skills of Jerome Ford and Pierre Strong Jr., the Browns clearly prioritized bolstering their ground game. Furthermore, sources close to the team suggest that a potential return for veteran Nick Chubb remains a possibility, which could transform this running back room into a true strength for the Browns. Sampson's arrival further solidifies their commitment to a potent rushing attack and provides valuable depth and competition within the unit.
Sampson is one of the youngest players in this draft, and he doesn't have a lot of pressure on him right away with Jerome Ford/Quinshon Judkins already in the room.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: NFL draft: Grading the Browns' pick of Dylan Sampson
Continue reading...
Despite boasting earlier additions to the backfield, this move has draft analysts buzzing about the potential value and fit of the young playmaker. Sampson's intriguing blend of instincts, patience, and explosive speed, particularly in the red zone, suggests he could be a significant asset for the Browns. Many believe Cleveland landed a steal, considering Sampson's pre-draft ranking.
Let's delve into why Dylan Sampson might just be the hidden gem to further power the Browns' rushing attack and complement their existing talent.
The Fit
Sampson, despite only one season as a lead back, showcases impressive instincts and a knack for gaining yards after contact. What truly distinguishes him is his exceptional feel for timing, spacing, and understanding of blocking schemes. He patiently reads lane development in real time and adheres to the play's design, yet possesses the agility to improvise when necessary. Additionally, when in the redzone, Samspon has a different gear, often finding a way to get the ball to the promised land.
Projecting as a strong RB2 in a gap-scheme offense, Sampson's blend of home-run speed and remarkable patience carves a clear path for potential success in the Browns' backfield when we eventually move on from Jerome Ford as a nearly 1:1 replacement. While his size and average outside vision might not suit every team, his skill set appears tailor-made to complement the bruising Quinshon Judkins we took earlier in the draft.
The Value
The Cleveland Browns snagged a potential steal at pick 126 in running back Dylan Sampson. In a draft deep with running back talent, Sampson distinguishes himself with his youthful profile and exceptional raw speed, especially at this point in the draft.
Many draft analysts projected Sampson to be off the board much earlier, with Arif Hasan's Consensus Big Board placing him as the 76th overall prospect. This significant discrepancy in value suggests the Browns have acquired a player with considerable upside and athleticism far later than anticipated. Sampson's addition injects a dynamic speed element into their backfield at an excellent draft position.
The Need
With the additions of Quinshon Judkins, coupled with the existing skills of Jerome Ford and Pierre Strong Jr., the Browns clearly prioritized bolstering their ground game. Furthermore, sources close to the team suggest that a potential return for veteran Nick Chubb remains a possibility, which could transform this running back room into a true strength for the Browns. Sampson's arrival further solidifies their commitment to a potent rushing attack and provides valuable depth and competition within the unit.
Pick Grade: A
Sampson is one of the youngest players in this draft, and he doesn't have a lot of pressure on him right away with Jerome Ford/Quinshon Judkins already in the room.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: NFL draft: Grading the Browns' pick of Dylan Sampson
Continue reading...
