The Cleveland Browns have had a great running game for a long time, featuring Nick Chubb. Now looking toward the future, they drafted Quinshon Judkins to be their next running back. Can the Ohio State product make an immediate impact in fantasy football?
Should You Draft Quinshon Judkins in Fantasy?
**The below is based purely on Judkins’ outlook as a fantasy football asset, assuming he plays football. As of the first week of August, Judkins remained unsigned due to allegations of domestic violence. The range of outcomes here is incredibly wide. Judkins could end up signing and playing the entire season. He also could quite literally never set foot on an NFL field.
For the purposes of preparing for fantasy drafts, this outlook is designed to educate you on what I think Judkins can do this season if he plays. At the end, when I discuss his ADP and whether you should draft him, I will factor in the likelihood that he plays, some, all, or none of the season.
For the better part of the past two seasons, the Browns have utilized Jerome Ford as their lead running back. In 2023, he filled in for an injured Nick Chubb for most of the season. In 2024, Ford operated as the primary back while Chubb worked his way back from that knee injury.
Chubb remains one of the best pure runners in NFL history. At his peak, he’s one of the most efficient backs we’ve seen and looks like he glides when he runs. Unfortunately, injuries and perhaps age have caught up to him. After returning to action last season, Chubb was not the same guy.
Chubb owns a career 5.1-yard-per-carry average. He had averaged at least 5.0 ypc in every season of his career…until 2024.
Last season, Chubb posted just 3.3 ypc. At 29 years old and showing clear signs of decline, the Browns opted to move on.
To replace Chubb, the Browns spent a very early second-round selection on Judkins. It’s abundantly clear the Browns want the next Chubb.
Now, to be clear, it’s extremely unlikely that Judkins is anywhere as good as Chubb. But that doesn’t preclude him from being a great player.
Athletically, the two are similar. Judkins is 221 pounds with a 109.7 speed score. Chubb is 227 pounds with a 108.8 speed score.
Quinshon Judkins stiff arming dudes to the shadow realm pic.twitter.com/i8nu2dbySg
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) June 1, 2025
With feature back size, the concern with Judkins will be his passing game role. He wasn’t much of a receiver in college. Although it didn’t help playing alongside TreVeyon Henderson, one of the best receiving backs of this class. Judkins’ best season college target share was 6.9%.
Additionally, the Browns used a fourth-round pick on Dylan Sampson, expressing a desire to revamp their backfield completely. Ford returned as well, but restructured his contract for reduced pay to avoid being cut.
MORE: Free Fantasy Football Mock Draft Simulator
We can safely project Judkins for a heavy volume role, albeit one that limits his receiving production. In the right offensive environment, that can be great for fantasy. Is this that environment?
The Browns’ quarterback situation remains in flux, with Joe Flacco likely starting before eventually ceding way to Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, and possibly Shedeur Sanders. It wouldn’t shock me if all four of these guys made starts this season.
Then, we have the offensive line. Last season, the Browns generated 0.85 adjusted yards before contact for their running backs. That ranked 22nd in the league and isn’t the most encouraging sign.
Judkins’ ADP legitimately isn’t worth discussing as a specific number. Before his off-field incident, Judkins was going around RB26. Since then, it’s steadily dropped as we get closer to the season without a resolution.
If Judkins was going in RB3 territory before the risk of him being suspended for at least six games or missing the entire season, you shouldn’t expect him to go off the board until at least RB4 territory. Is that worth it for you?
I have Judkins ranked at RB43 to give him a ranking, but he is entirely off my board. There’s so much uncertainty surrounding a rookie running back who hasn’t participated in a single activity with his new team, which is projected to be one of the worst teams in football. The risk is not worth it.
Mason LeBeau’s Quinshon Judkins Fantasy Projection
During the NFL draft process, Quinshon Judkins rose to my RB2 right with Omarion Hampton. He went early in the second round to Cleveland, and while I would’ve loved for him to be attached to a better offense, I still like the scheme he’d be entering with a likely workhorse role attached. Plus, his value would never get too high, being on the Browns.
Now, we aren’t even sure if Judkins will play this season. Earlier this offseason, he was arrested — the same time other second-rounders were holding out for higher guarantees. This perfect storm has led to Judkins being without a deal and in the midst of a legal battle. Had he signed a contract earlier, there’s a good chance he’d still be cleared to play until everything was resolved, but that likely wouldn’t happen until next season. Instead, Judkins and the Browns will have to wait out the process.Â
Judkins is likely a late-round stash in most cases, but I wouldn’t bother with it unless we get an update prior to drafts. Wasting a bench spot for a player who may not play this year is too rich for me, and we don’t know if he’s even worth drafting. Let someone else deal with it, and take Dylan Sampson instead.Â
