We are deep into the preseason, and there are still depth charts that have yet to be solidified. One example is the Cleveland Browns’ backfield.
The Browns let Nick Chubb leave in free agency this offseason, leaving plenty of questions about who his replacement will be. Who is the running back to roster in Cleveland’s backfield in fantasy?
What Is the Latest Quinshon Judkins Update?
It looked like Cleveland had solved its backfield when it drafted Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins in the second round of the NFL Draft. Judkins averaged 246.3 attempts, 1,261.7 yards, and 15 touchdowns in three collegiate seasons between Ole Miss and Ohio State.
He added 19.7 receptions, 147.3 receiving yards, and 1.7 touchdowns per season as a pass catcher.
Still, Judkins was one of many second-round picks who held out on signing their contract to get more guaranteed money. Unfortunately, during that time, he was arrested in Florida for domestic violence before training camp could begin. That led the Browns to pause signing the rookie while the legal process played out.
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Those charges have been dropped, but Judkins still has not signed his rookie contract. At the same time, the NFL continues to investigate this incident to determine if it will issue an additional consequence. Reports also indicate that the original issue with the contract (guaranteed money) is still a sticking point between Judkins and the Browns.
As of this article, the impasse between Cleveland and Judkins has not ended, making this backfield even messier. Even if he starts practice immediately, he will need time to be ready to contribute after missing his first training camp.
Is Jerome Ford or Dylan Sampson the Better Pick?
That leaves the Browns with two options out of the backfield, veteran running back Jerome Ford and 2025 fourth-round pick Dylan Sampson.
Ford was drafted by the Browns in 2022 but got an expanded role in the offense over the last two seasons thanks to Chubb’s knee injury. Ford has played 31 games (18 starts) over the previous two seasons, carrying the ball 308 times for 1,378 yards and seven touchdowns.
He’s also added 81 receptions on 106 targets for 544 yards and five touchdowns. He was RB25 in PPR points per game in 2023 (12.4).
Sampson was a rotational piece of Tennessee’s offense during his first two college seasons (164 carries for 1,001 yards and 13 touchdowns with 20 receptions for 199 yards and a touchdown) before taking over in 2024.
He led the SEC in rushing, racking up 258 carries for 1,491 yards and 22 touchdowns, and also increased his production as a pass catcher (20 receptions for 143 yards).
Great value for the Browns here. Dylan Sampson can ball. pic.twitter.com/oMH3ULP5wt
— Brandon Little (@BrandonLittleBL) April 26, 2025
Another complicating factor is Cleveland’s offense. The Browns are starting Joe Flacco at quarterback, but it won’t be surprising if the team pivots to one of their rookies (Dillon Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders) if the season goes poorly.
It is hard to imagine a situation where this offense is one of the better groups in the NFL, which makes figuring out whether the offense will be good (run-heavy game scripts) or bad (pass-heavy game scripts) significant for fantasy.
Final Verdict
Coming into the summer, the belief was that Judkins would take over the bulk of the backfield work with Ford and Sampson competing for a complementary role. Without Judkins, we must determine whether Ford or Sampson can provide more fantasy value.
Unfortunately, the preseason didn’t help fantasy managers answer that question much. In Cleveland’s final preseason game, Ford played six snaps and Sampson played five.
Ford (two carries for 14 yards) was more productive than Sampson (two carries for three yards) on the ground, but Sampson (one reception for 14 yards) had more production through the air than Ford (two receptions for five yards).
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We know that Ford has been effective as both a rusher and a pass catcher in this offense the last two seasons, so he has the coaching staff’s trust. However, the Browns may not be a good team, which would lead to more negative game scripts and, by default, more work for Ford in a pass-catching role.
Given his familiarity with the offense, it won’t be surprising if the Browns lean heavily on Ford to begin the season. He can produce in that role, especially if the team is forced into passing situations. Ford could also maintain that role if Judkins signs his rookie contract and takes over the early down work, as we expected in the summer.
It is fun to draft rookies, but in this specific case, the safer play for fantasy is going with the established veteran.
