Who Should I Start? Rhamondre Stevenson or Dylan Sampson

Saturday, July 26, 11:37 AM

The Boston Herald's Andrew Callahan reports that New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson is missing at Saturday's training camp practice, and no reason was given for his absence. We should have an update to pass along shortly on why Stevenson isn't practicing, but it could be just a day off for him early in camp with the players just wearing shells and not full pads. Stevenson's fantasy stock has definitely fallen going into the 2025 campaign, even though he ran for 801 yards on 207 carries for a career-high seven rushing touchdowns in 15 games (14 starts). The 27-year-old continued to have ball-security issues and averaged a career-low 3.9 yards per carry. If his fumbling issues don't improve, the Pats will surely bench Stevenson in 2025 after they drafted TreVeyon Henderson in the second round in April. He has become a volatile RB3/flex in fantasy.

Saturday, June 28, 11:38 AM

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.