Cleveland Browns running backs coach Duce Staley said that rookie RB Dylan Sampson will get more playing time as the season goes on and they'll have a 1-2-3 punch with fellow rookie Quinshon Judkins and Jerome Ford, according to Scott Petrak. Sampson began the 2025 season splitting the backfield workload with Ford while Judkins dealt with an off-the-field issue. He had 12 carries for 29 yards and also caught all eight of his targets for an extra 64 yards in the season-opening loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, but in the two games since Judkins has returned, Sampson has just five combined carries for eight yards and has caught three passes for 13 yards. The 21-year-old is apparently going to be more involved as the season progresses, but his weekly fantasy ceiling and floor will remain low as long as Judkins dominates Cleveland's backfield work.
Sep 26, 2025 12:11 PM EST
Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson was an afterthought in his team's 13-10 win over the Green Bay Packers in Week 3. Sampson saw just one carry, turning it into a two-yard gain, and was not targeted in the passing attack. The rookie's role has dwindled considerably since Week 1, not surprisingly coinciding with the activation of fellow rookie Quinshon Judkins ahead of last week's game. Sampson was looking like a solid PPR flex option after a Week 1 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, but he has quickly become a drop candidate in fantasy leagues heading into Week 4's road matchup against the Detroit Lions.
Sep 22, 2025 4:50 PM EST
Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson is off to a fast start in the passing game in his rookie season, having caught 11 passes for 77 yards and a touchdown through two games. He will hope to keep it going at home against the Green Bay Packers in Week 3. Sampson's role in the backfield is likely to be scaled back, however, as fellow rookie Quinshon Judkins is expected to take over as the team's lead back this weekend. That being said, Sampson should continue to see a decent workload in the passing game, giving him value as a low-end RB3 in PPR formats this weekend.
Sep 19, 2025 7:55 PM EST
Cleveland Browns rookie running back Dylan Sampson was listed as the No. 2 back on the Week 3 depth chart, slotting in ahead of veteran Jerome Ford but behind second-round pick Quinshon Judkins. However, the usage tells a different story. In last week's loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Ford played 49% of the snaps compared to just 24% for Sampson, suggesting the coaching staff still trusts the veteran on passing downs. It's unclear whether the updated depth chart reflects a genuine shift or is more of a formality, but for fantasy purposes, Sampson managers should be cautious. With the Browns set to face the red-hot Green Bay Packers defense in Week 3, Sampson is highly unlikely to make a fantasy impact and is best left on benches in all formats.
Sep 16, 2025 7:37 PM EST
Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson will head on the road to take on the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2. Sampson turned in an excellent pro debut in a one-point loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1, catching all eight of his targets for 64 yards. He also dominated the backfield work, earning 12 carries to starter Jerome Ford's six in the contest. Sampson appears to be locked into the pass-catching role in the Cleveland offense, a spot that should be productive against a Ravens defense that allowed James Cook to catch all five of his targets for 58 yards in Week 1. Sampson sets up as a high-end RB3/flex option with upside heading into fantasy contests in Week 2.
Sep 12, 2025 9:21 PM EST
Cleveland Browns rookie running back Dylan Sampson was heavily involved in his first career NFL game and is one of the top priority adds in Week 2 of the NFL season. Sampson played 43% of the snaps on Sunday and caught all eight of his targets for 64 receiving yards. He also added 12 carries on the ground for 29 yards. The rookie out of Tennessee said he felt a rhythm growing there with Joe Flacco on Sunday in his NFL regular-season debut, Camryn Justice, beat writer for the Browns, reports. Sampson clearly identified himself as the top back in Week 1, out-touching fellow back Jerome Ford 20-7, and although Ford played more snaps (56%), he clearly was not involved in getting touches. With Quinshon Judkins expected to return soon, it appears the Browns' backfield will consist of Sampson and Judkins, with Judkins on early downs and Sampson mixing in on third downs. Until then, Sampson is finding himself in RB3 territory for Week 2 against the Baltimore Ravens.
Sep 10, 2025 9:41 AM EST
Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson rushed for 29 yards on 12 carries during Sunday's Week 1 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. He was much more productive and efficient through the air, catching all eight of his targets for 64 receiving yards. He finished with 16.9 points in PPR leagues, and he was still solid in half-PPR or standard formats thanks to his 93 total yards against the Bengals. Cleveland experimented with three different running backs on Sunday, but Sampson was far more efficient than Jerome Ford and Raheim Sanders. As a result, the rookie likely enters Week 2 as the Browns' No. 1 running back. However, he will face added competition next week when Quinshon Judkins makes his NFL debut. Judkins will likely be phased into the offense so that he has time to get acclimated, which means that he's not a major threat to Sampson's role right away. However, as the season goes on, expect the two rookies to provide each other with healthy competition on a weekly basis.
Sep 7, 2025 6:04 PM EST
Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson will make his NFL debut at home against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1. Sampson, a fourth-round pick in this year's NFL draft, is expected to open the season as the team's change-of-pace back behind starter Jerome Ford. The exact extent of Sampson's role is yet to be seen, but he could see plenty of work in the passing game in a contest where the Browns may have to pass frequently to keep up with a high-powered Cincinnati. Sampson checks in as a dart-throw flex option who is worth a look in deep leagues as a potential sleeper.
Sep 5, 2025 8:21 PM EST
Cleveland Browns rookie Dylan Sampson has emerged as the clear No. 2 back behind Jerome Ford with Quinshon Judkins still unsigned. Sampson has shown burst and reliability in camp, locking down the change-of-pace role. Ford, meanwhile, has never logged more than 250 touches in a season, leaving the door open for Sampson to carve out meaningful snaps or even push for a bigger role if Ford falters. His skill set makes him a versatile complement in Cleveland's backfield. Fantasy managers should view Sampson as a valuable late-round flier with legitimate upside if the backfield shifts in his favor.
Aug 28, 2025 10:41 PM EST
Cleveland Browns rookie running back Dylan Sampson was the first running back on the field in his team's final preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams. Sampson got the first handoff of the game from starting quarterback Joe Flacco and finished his day with two carries for three yards and one reception for 14 yards. Veteran running back Jerome Ford split reps with Sampson during the team's second offensive series. With running back Quinshon Judkins still unsigned following his offseason arrest, Sampson and Ford should be expected to share the Browns' backfield workload early in the season. If Sampson can emerge as the clear RB1 in Cleveland with a strong start to his rookie campaign, he could be a steal in the late rounds of fantasy drafts.
Aug 24, 2025 11:46 AM EST
Cleveland Browns rookie running back Dylan Sampson is pushing for touches after a strong preseason. The fourth-round pick has capitalized on Quinshon Judkins' missed time and carved out a role behind Jerome Ford. Ford paced the team in rushing last season but managed just 790 yards from scrimmage, leaving room for competition. Sampson's burst and elusiveness at the point of contact make him a change-of-pace threat who could quickly gain traction in the rotation. Fantasy managers should keep Sampson in mind as a deep sleeper with upside, especially if Ford struggles or injuries shake up the Browns' backfield.
Aug 22, 2025 12:20 PM EST
Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson was the first running back up in the rotation during Wednesday and Thursday's joint practices with the Philadelphia Eagles, according to The Athletic's Zac Jackson. The fourth-round rookie's stock has grown throughout training camp. Second-round pick Quinshon Judkins is involved in legal trouble and hasn't signed a contract with the Browns. That makes Jerome Ford and Pierre Strong Jr. the biggest competitors for touches. Ford took a pay cut to remain with Cleveland, and the coaching staff may be favoring the rookie over the fourth-year veteran. The Browns are projected to have one of the league's worst offenses, and running back touchdowns may be hard to come by. Both Ford and Sampson are double-digit fantasy football selections. The rookie is a sleeper for what could be a heavy workload this season.
Aug 14, 2025 11:48 AM EST
Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson carried the ball twice for six yards and failed to catch his lone target in a 30-10 preseason win over the Carolina Panthers on Friday. Sampson got the start, taking his first carry of the game for a five-yard gain while rotating with Trayveon Williams. The rookie runner out of Tennessee has a chance to earn a large role alongside Jerome Ford in the Cleveland backfield thanks to the legal issues of Quinshon Judkins, who remains unsigned. Sampson will continue to state his case in Cleveland's second preseason game, which will come next Saturday against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Aug 9, 2025 6:17 AM EST
Cleveland Browns rookie running back Jerome Sampson is "essentially playing the 1-B role" next to veteran Jerome Ford, according to Zac Jackson of The Athletic. A fourth-round rookie out of Tennessee, Sampson rushed for 1,491 yards and 22 touchdowns in 13 games last season for the Volunteers. With second-round running back Quinshon Judkins still unsigned by the team due to a July arrest, Sampson appears to be in line for a significant role as a rookie. Ford is entering his fourth season in Cleveland, but he's never truly earned a workhorse role throughout a full season. The backfield mix for the Browns will remain a bit muddled until Judkins' legal situation gets ironed out, but it sounds like Ford and Sampson will share the workload relatively evenly while Judkins is out.
Aug 3, 2025 2:29 PM EST
Cleveland Browns rookie fourth-round running back Dylan Sampson received work "as a running back and a receiver" during minicamp, according to RBs coach Duce Staley. Staley went on to add that Sampson "is able to go play in the slot and also he's able to go and play on third down and maybe sprinkle in a little second down." The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Dan Labbe thinks that heading into training camp, rookies Quinshon Judkins and Sampson figure to be the top two backs, with Jerome Ford serving as the primary third-down back. The 20-year-old Sampson rushed for 1,491 yards and 22 touchdowns (5.8 yards per carry) in 2024 at Tennessee, but he wasn't all that involved as a pass-catcher. He's a speedy back that could be worth a dart throw in deep PPR formats, but most likely he'll be an inconsistent fantasy performer unless Judkins misses time with an injury.
Jun 28, 2025 11:38 AM EST
Per the team's transaction log, the Cleveland Browns have signed fourth-round running back Dylan Sampson and second-round linebacker Carson Schwesinger to their rookie contracts. Schwesinger will make $11.8 million over his four-year deal, while Sampson is set to make $5.13 million over his. Sampson, 20, broke out in his final season at Tennessee with a stellar 1,491 yards and 22 TDs over 258 carries, adding another 20 catches and 143 yards through the air. He took home SEC Offensive Player of the Year honors. Schwesinger, on the other hand, was a Butkus Award finalist (nation's best linebacker) and ranked third in the FBS with 136 total tackles. Sampson's path to playing time is a little murkier than Schwesinger's, as the latter should push for immediate snaps in the Browns' linebacker room. Still, both players stand to make an impact on a rebuilding Cleveland roster in 2025.
May 10, 2025 4:08 PM EST
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