Dawgs By Nature
Drafted after Quinshon Judkins, why Dylan Sampson could be the surprise from the Browns NFL draft class
Much will be made about the Cleveland Browns and their quarterback room. The attention is deserved, even if the Browns didn’t select Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round. Selecting Sanders after nabbing Dillon Gabriel in the third round adds to the interest and attention in an offseason where Kenny Pickett was added in a trade and aged veteran Joe Flacco re-signed after a year away from the team.
Despite all that attention, it is Cleveland’s running backs that could carry the load despite the (most likely) departure of Nick Chubb.
After Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson were drafted, Jerome Ford adjusted his contract to stick around. For their part, Judkins and Sampson could attempt to recreate the Kevin Mack/Earnest Byner dynamic, with Isaiah Crowell/Duke Johnson also being an appropriate comparison.
Judkins is well-known after helping The Ohio State Buckeyes win the national championship last year, but Sampson is a dynamic player who shouldn’t be overlooked. The 2024 SEC Offensive Player of the Year could exceed expectations, according to Pro Football Network:
Dylan Sampson enters the NFL with a rare blend of vision, burst, and discipline that makes him a strong candidate to contribute early. Despite being a one-year starter at Tennessee, Sampson shattered school records and emerged as one of the most productive backs in the country during the 2024 season, proving his playmaking ability could hold up against SEC competition.
At 5’11”, 190 pounds, Sampson doesn’t win with size — he wins with instincts and quickness. He’s especially effective in inside zone and gap schemes, both of which align well with Cleveland’s ground attack. While he’ll need to improve his ball security and pass protection, his speed, change of direction, and ability to run through arm tackles make him a potentially game-changing change of pace back alongside Quinshon Judkins.
That Sampson has a “rare blend” but was still available in the fourth round says a lot about how teams value size and how deep of a running back class the 2025 NFL draft had.
In 2025, Ford, Judkins and Sampson will be fighting to find their roles. While it is helpful to have a rotation at the position, running backs like to get into the flow of the game by getting a number of touches. HC Kevin Stefanski will likely need a strong running game to help whoever is at quarterback, but figuring out who gets carries and when will be interesting.
Do you think Sampson can exceed expectations in 2025? How do you see the running backs being used this season by the Browns?
