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Will Quinshon Judkins play in Week 1, or play at all in 2025 for the Browns? Andy's latest Quinshon Judkins fantasy football outlook and update for Week 1.
After not opting to resign longtime running back Nick Chubb, the Cleveland Browns opted to find their next franchise running back in the second round of the NFL Draft in Ohio State standout Quinshon Judkins.
Judkins was viewed as one of the top prospects at the position and was widely considered the RB1 in Cleveland shortly after the draft. However, recent legal allegations and his unsigned rookie contract have raised questions about his availability for the season.
Will Judkins be available before the season begins? Will Judkins play in Week 1 or at all in 2025? Let's take a look at the latest updates and fantasy football outlook.
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Will Quinshon Judkins Play In 2025?
While Judkins opened minicamp as the clear RB1 in Cleveland, following his arrest for domestic assault, his opportunities declined. While his prosecutors opted not to press any charges against the former Buckeye, the Browns have yet to sign him to his rookie contract.
In addition, the Browns' front office has noted that discussions remain “day-to-day.” However, with the regular season just a week away, seeing Judkins not on the practice field or under contract suggests he could be the latest draft bust.
On Monday, NBC’s Mike Florio reported that Judkins may not even step on an NFL field this season. While the process is quite tricky, Florio noted that Judkins does have the ability to do so, compared to players in the past.
While this may seem improbable, given that Judkins and the Browns cannot even agree on a rookie contract and his recent offseason scandal, this may be the path Judkins chooses to pursue in hopes of saving his professional career.
Browns second-round RB Quinshon Judkins, who still isn't under contract, could try to play college football in 2025. https://t.co/Rfr41o6rmk
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) August 25, 2025
Will Quinshon Judkins Play In Week 1?
Given that Judkins remains unsigned and is now potentially eyeing a return to college, his availability for Week 1 is in serious question. While he has not been officially ruled out, he would need to sign his rookie contract with the Browns in the coming days to be brought up to game speed before his season debut.
As a result, fantasy managers should not expect Judkins to suit up in the opening week of the 2025 regular season. Instead, Rookie Dylan Sampson and veteran Jerome Ford will likely take most of the opportunities out of the backfield.
#Browns RB Quinshon Judkins, their second-round pick, remains unsigned even though his domestic battery charge was dropped. #NFL still reviewing his case.
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) August 26, 2025
Quinshon Judkins Fantasy Football Outlook
With the Buckeyes, Judkins enjoyed a fantastic 2024 season, playing a lead role in their National Championship-winning team. He shared the backfield with fellow second-round pick TreVeyon Henderson, who now resides in New England. During the regular season, Judkins ran for 1,060 yards and punched in 14 scores on the ground.
He began his college career with Ole Miss, where he led the SEC in rushing scores in both of his seasons (2022 and 2023). During his two seasons in the SEC, Judkins averaged an impressive 1,326.5 yards per season with 34 combined scrimmage touchdowns.
While Judkins has been sidelined, Sampson and Ford have seen the majority of the attempts in the backfield. Given that they were deployed with the first team during the preseason, fantasy managers should feel confident pushing Sampson and Ford up their draft board.
Ford should be viewed as the high-floor play given his experience in the offense. However, Sampson is worth a look as a late-round RB3 with upside, as he could overtake Ford for the starting job later in the campaign.
Given Judkins's uncertainty, he should be viewed as a high-risk asset in all fantasy drafts for the time being. He is best to leave off your draft board or be viewed as a late-round stash.
#Browns current running backs room: Jerome Ford and Dylan Sampson.
Kevin Stefanski said: "There will be more than two running backs on this team." pic.twitter.com/a2nUWnkn0a
— Camryn Justice (@camijustice) August 26, 2025
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