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.
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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.
Dan Fornek’s Quinshon Judkins Fantasy Projection
When the Cleveland Browns drafted Quinshon Judkins in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, it seemed like they had identified their Nick Chubb replacement. Judkins transferred to Ohio State after carrying the ball 545 times for 2,725 yards and 31 touchdowns in his first two seasons with Ole Miss. With the Buckeyes, Judkins was put into a timeshare with TreVeyon Henderson, yet still produced more than enough (194 carries for 1,060 yards and 14 touchdowns) as the team’s closer at the end of games.
Unfortunately, Judkins was arrested in Florida for a domestic violence charge just before the start of training camp. He had not signed his second-round contract before the incident took place, and the Browns have shown no urgency in inking him to that deal until his case is resolved. Even if Judkins does sign, a trip to the commissioner’s exempt list and suspension seem very likely.
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Domestic violence cases usually end up with a six-game suspension (even if they are settled), which puts a serious dent in Judkins’ outlook for 2025. Additionally, each practice he misses puts him further and further from being ready for game action when he does sign.
Judkins could have been an interesting running back in 2025, even if factors like a bad offensive environment and crowded backfield aren’t in his favor. However, he is now a player who is a full fade with many variables up in the air.
