Who Should I Start? Jaleel McLaughlin or Quinshon Judkins

Monday, January 13, 10:50 AM

Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin was a complete non-factor in the team's 31-7 blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday on wild-card weekend. Like most of the season, Denver's backfield was stuck in the mud and couldn't get anything going to control the game, with rookie quarterback Bo Nix leading the team with 43 rushing yards on four carries. McLaughlin, who had been the leader of a committee backfield late in the season, had only two rushing attempts for minus-two yards while catching his only target for no gain. It was a dismal end to the 24-year-old's second season in the NFL. He finished with 113 carries for 496 yards (4.4 yards per carry) and only one rushing touchdown in 16 regular-season games while adding 24 catches for 76 yards and two more TDs through the air. Denver will surely look to upgrade their backfield in the offseason to give more help to Nix in 2025.

Saturday, May 31, 1:09 PM

The Athletic's Zac Jackson writes that Cleveland Browns rookie second-round running back Quinshon Judkins will get opportunities with the starters sooner than later. Judkins looks the part of an NFL back and is likely to be a big part of their offense after the 21-year-old was selected 36th overall in the second round this year out of Ohio State. He worked with the first-team and third-team offense during OTA practice on Wednesday. Jackson adds that if Judkins can win the starting job by October, the Browns could trade Jerome Ford, who is still the starting RB but is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Judkins may take a back seat to Ford to open the 2025 campaign, but he figures to be at least close to a full-time contributor by the end of his rookie season. The former Buckeye will command a lot of attention in fantasy in both redraft and dynasty/keeper leagues.