Who Should I Start? Zach Charbonnet or Dylan Sampson

Saturday, February 14, 6:21 AM

Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (knee) spent the majority of the 2025 season in a relatively even playing time split with fellow Seahawks back Kenneth Walker III. However, Charbonnet suffered a torn ACL in his knee during Seattle's NFC Divisional Round win over the San Francisco 49ers. Given the timing of the injury, Charbonnet could miss the start of the 2026 season, if not more. Across 16 regular-season games, the 25-year-old recorded 730 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on 184 carries. Charbonnet established himself as Seattle's preferred option at the goal-line and has racked up 20 rushing touchdowns over the past two seasons. While the Seahawks are reportedly looking to re-sign him, Walker III is now set to hit unrestricted free agency this offseason. If Walker III were to sign elsewhere, Charbonnet could take over as the team's lead back once he gets healthy. Still, given the nature of his injury and Walker III's standout playoff run after Charbonnet went down, it seems unlikely that Charbonnet will be ticketed for anything more than a support upon his return. Charbonnet's long-term outlook in dynasty formats should take a hit as a result of his unfortunate injury setback.

Wednesday, February 11, 9:49 AM

Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson spent most of his rookie season as the team's primary receiving back, but following a late-season injury to fellow rookie Quinshon Judkins, he was given the opportunity to serve as Cleveland's lead back for the final two games of 2025. Unfortunately, playing behind an offensive line that struggled throughout the year to open running lanes or keep a revolving door of quarterbacks off the ground, he finished those two games with only 59 yards on 21 carries. With Judkins' status uncertain for the beginning of 2026, Sampson will likely get first crack at primary duties yet again, but unless Cleveland is able to drastically overhaul their offensive line in year one under new head coach Todd Monken, the bulk of his value will still come through his passing work. Sampson will look to improve on his 33 receptions as a rookie, but given his current surroundings, he is not a player who needs to be aggressively pursued.