| {{ column.label }} |
|---|
| {{ column.value }} |
Sampson flashed intriguing receiving ability as a rookie and could pick up more of that work with Jerome Ford’s departure.
But Quinshon Judkins figures to remain the clear backfield leader on a Browns offense that doesn’t project to score much.
That leaves Sampson as just an end-of-bench stash in PPR leagues.
Customize his projection for your exact league settings inside the Draft War Room.
Sampson produced much more through the air than on the ground as a rookie, totaling 33 catches for 271 yards and two scores vs. 65 carries for 175 yards and 0 TDs in 15 games.
Sampson finished 62nd among RBs in PPR points per game and 66th in half-PPR.
He was, not surprisingly, better in three games without Quinshon Judkins, averaging:
Sampson finished RB9, RB42, and RB40 in PPR points in those three contests.
Sampson was a lightly used passing-down back in his 12 games with Judkins last year. He played just 21.8% of Cleveland’s offensive snaps in those outings, with 64% of those snaps being pass routes.
Sampson averaged 2.7 carries and 2.0 targets per game with Judkins, ranking 73rd among RBs in expected PPR points per game.
In those three games without Judkins, Sampson averaged 11.0 carries and 4.7 targets and ranked RB26 in expected PPR points per game.
Sampson struggled mightily on the ground last year, mustering just 2.7 yards per carry. His offensive line didn’t help much, leading to a dead-last ranking among 65 qualifying RBs in yards before contact per attempt.
Sampson was respectable in blocking-independent metrics. Among those 65 RBs, he ranked:
He was awesome in the passing game. Sampson ranked second in yards per route and eighth in Pro Football Focus receiving grade among 40 RBs with 30+ targets. He easily beat Judkins in both metrics.
In fact, Sampson was the only RB in the NFL to lead his team in yards per route last year. (Which, admittedly, says just as much about Cleveland’s 2025 pass-catching corps as Sampson.)
Sampson played on a bad Browns team that finished 5-12. The offense ranked:
The Browns’ offensive line finished near the bottom of the league in most run-blocking metrics:
Sampson improved his production across three college seasons at Tennessee, culminating in a 2024 breakout. He ran 258 times for 1,491 yards and 22 TDs, ranking top-8 nationally in all three categories.
Sampson proved a bit less impressive in advanced metrics, though. Among 160 RBs with 100+ carries, he ranked:
Sampson totaled 40 catches for 342 yards (8.6 yards per catch) and 1 TD across his three college seasons, topping out at 20 grabs in 2024.
The Browns selected Sampson in the fourth round in 2025. He was one of the youngest players in that class and turns just 22 this September.
Sampson missed Weeks 15 and 16 last year with hand and calf injuries.
A late-season hamstring injury limited him to just 2 carries in his final college game, a playoff loss to Ohio State.
Sampson figures to return to a similar pass-catching role this season but could pick up some more work.
The Browns made no major RB additions this offseason, returning Sampson, Judkins, and fellow second-year RB Raheim Sanders. But they let RB Jerome Ford leave in free agency. He led the backfield in pass routes last year and finished third in targets (31). Sampson should soak up a lot of that action.
Judkins projects to control early-down and rushing work, as long as the dislocated ankle and fractured fibula he suffered last December doesn’t get in the way. But Sampson should play plenty on what will likely be a bad Browns team. Cleveland is favored in just one game this season.
The Browns face major QB questions in 2026. Deshaun Watson is the early favorite to start, but he’s working back from a second tear of his right Achilles. And he wasn’t good with Cleveland even before those injuries, averaging just 6.0 yards per pass attempt across 2022-2024.
The Browns also return second-year QBs Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. Neither was good as a rookie, averaging 6.6 and 5.1 yards per attempt, respectively.
Cleveland did bolster the WR corps with rookies KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston. They join WR Jerry Jeudy and TE Harold Fannin Jr. to give this team a respectable pass-catching corps. It’s tougher target competition than Sampson faced last year.
The Browns also rebuilt their offensive line this offseason, moving on from longtime starters Joel Bitonio, Wyatt Teller, Ethan Pocic, and Jack Conklin and adding free agents Tytus Howard, Zion Johnson, and Elgton Jenkins, plus first-round rookie Spencer Fano.
Howard, Johnson, and Jenkins are expected to start. Here’s how they ranked at their positions in Pro Football Focus run-blocking grade last year:
Fano is a more exciting addition. He ranked 1st and then 18th among OTs in PFF run-blocking grades at Utah the past two seasons.
This offensive line should be better this year than last, but it still projects as a below-average run-blocking unit.
The Browns canned HC Kevin Stefanski and OC Tommy Rees after the 2025 season and replaced them with HC Todd Monken and OC Travis Switzer.
Monken confirmed during his introductory press conference that he'll call offensive plays. This is his first NFL head coaching gig, but he has seven seasons of OC experience (three with the Buccaneers, one with the Browns, and three with the Ravens).
His last three Ravens offenses were run heavy, but Monken leaned pass prior to that, with three of his first four teams ranking higher in pass attempts than rush attempts.
Monken has utilized a passing-down back on all of his offenses: Justice Hill in Baltimore, Kareem Hunt in Cleveland, and Charles Sims and Jacquizz Rodgers in Tampa Bay.
Sampson will need a Judkins injury to raise his ceiling this year. Even then, it’s unclear if the 200-pounder would control rushing work. He averaged 11.0 carries across three games without Judkins last year.
Outside of a Judkins absence, Sampson will hope to compile enough targets to have some RB3 or flex value in PPR leagues.
Judkins, who got Round 2 draft capital last year, could take on a bigger passing-down role this season. That’d drop Sampson completely off the fantasy radar.
Unable to load trends.
No trend data is available.
No trend data is available.
Quinshon Judkins Close To 100%?
Quinshon Judkins Close To 100%?
Browns RB Quinshon Judkins (leg) appears to be operating at close to 100% at OTAs this week, according to multiple members of Cleveland's media. Judkins is five months removed from suffering a fractured fibula and dislocated ankle. He's clearly on track to be ready for Week 1, and it's looking like that injury won't be a concern for his 2026 fantasy value.
Dylan Sampson Active
Dylan Sampson Active
Browns RB Dylan Sampson (hand) is active for today’s game vs. the Steelers. The rookie was limited in practice all week after missing Cleveland’s last two games. That adds risk to his fantasy profile, but Sampson is the best bet for touches in this Quinshon Judkins-less backfield. He tallied 12 carries and eight targets with Judkins out back in Week 1.
Dylan Sampson Questionable For Week 17
Dylan Sampson Questionable For Week 17
Browns RB Dylan Sampson (hand) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game vs. the Steelers. He was limited in practice all week. The rookie has been sidelined since Week 14. If he’s able to return for this one, he’d be the best bet for touches in Cleveland’s Quinshon Judkins-less backfield and land in RB3 territory in the Week 17 rankings. We’ll look for further updates on Sampson’s status and get the Browns’ inactives around 11:30 am ET on Sunday. If he’s out, Raheim Sanders will likely operate as the lead early-down back, with Trayveon Williams handling passing downs.
Quinshon Judkins Out for the Season
Quinshon Judkins Out for the Season
Browns RB Quinshon Judkins suffered a dislocated ankle and a fractured fibula in Sunday’s loss to Buffalo, per HC Kevin Stefanski. Meanwhile, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said after the game that the team is also evaluating the rookie for a knee injury. We'll keep an eye on his recovery timeline, but Judkins is sure to miss at least a chunk of the offseason program. In his place, Cleveland may ride Raheim Sanders and Trayveon Williams. On Sunday, Sanders held the edge in carries (11-3) with Williams leading the backfield in targets (4-1). Note: Jerome Ford is on injured reserve, while rookie Dylan Sampson missed today's game with a hand injury.
Dylan Sampson Out For Week 16
Dylan Sampson Out For Week 16
Browns RB Dylan Sampson (hand) is out for Sunday’s game vs. the Bills. His absence last week helped RB Quinshon Judkins set a season high in route rate (55%) and draw four targets. He’s a slightly safer Weekk 16 fantasy play with Sampson out again.
See whether Dylan Sampson is available in your leagues.
Sign In to Check Your LeaguesNo related articles are available yet.
You have our personal money-back guarantee: If you’re not happy with our service for any reason, just reach out by December 31, 2026, and we’ll give you 100% of this purchase back. No strings attached. You can cancel with one-click from your account page anytime.
