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Is Dylan Sampson starting for the Browns at running back? Should I draft Sampson for fantasy football in 2025? Read the rookie RB fantasy football outlook.
No running back room in the NFL is filled with more uncertainty than the one in Cleveland. With their second-round pick, Quinshon Judkins, still yet to sign his contract, and a fourth-round rookie Dylan Sampson added to the mix, there is many questions surrounding this new backfield.
The Browns are coming off a horrible season in which the Browns were 29th in rushing yards After running the ball at the lowest percentage in the NFL in 2024, the Browns’ actions suggest that they are attempting to return to a more run-heavy approach.
Here's a breakdown on how Sampson fits into the Browns' backfield and his current fantasy value.
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Is Dylan Sampson Starting for the Browns?
Judkins was drafted to be the primary ball carrier for the Browns, but he has faced legal trouble. He was arrested for domestic violence and battery in July and missed all of training camp. The case was dismissed, and there was a sigh of relief around Judkins’ status.
However, Judkins has yet to sign his rookie contract and is not participating in Browns practices, with the season opener right around the corner. ESPN’s Adam Schefter has reported that the Browns and Judkins remain unable to reach a deal and may be at a standstill until the NFL concludes its own investigation.
Though Cleveland second-round pick Quinshon Judkins will not face any charges, he and the Browns still have been unable to reach a deal and may not until the end of any NFL investigation. pic.twitter.com/QzbE6j8tsK
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 18, 2025
There is a precedent for the NFL to suspend Judkins despite his case being dismissed. Players such as Ezekiel Elliott, Ben Roethlisberger, and Deshaun Watson have all faced significant suspensions despite not being convicted of crimes.
This situation has left Sampson to split camp and preseason carries with Browns veteran Jerome Ford, who was forced to take a pay cut to remain with the team in the offseason. Ford has proved to be a solid backup running back, but does not seem to be a priority player for the Browns.
Dylan Sampson Fantasy Football Outlook
Sampson spent three years at the University of Tennessee, including a breakout Junior year in which he carried the ball 258 times for 1491 yards (5.8 YPC) and added 20 receptions for 143 yards. He is a smaller back at 5’8, 200 lbs., but is known for his excellent vision and patience, paired with his one-cut ability. Despite his size, he has a remarkable ability to get work through contact, gaining 62.4% of his college yards after contact.
Judkins is still the first Browns running back off the board in fantasy drafts, but the margin is thinning. His lack of camp and preseason reps in the offense is extremely troubling, and there is plenty of speculation and concern surrounding his status. His absence has opened the door for Sampson to gain a larger share of the backfield and make his mark in Cleveland.
Dylan Sampson was so much fun to watch at Tennessee.
With uncertainty around Quinshon Judkins, Sampson might be one of the best late-round Fantasy Football picks. https://t.co/x6xcUDZHFd pic.twitter.com/R6UT9Kv36k
— Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) August 4, 2025
Sampson should be climbing the rankings every day we get closer to the start of the season. His tackle-breaking ability and workhorse role at Tennessee give him a significant upside in fantasy, albeit in a subpar, rebuilding Browns offense.
Should I Draft Dylan Sampson?
As we stand right now, there seem to be three paths this situation may follow.
One is that Judkins signs his rookie contract and faces no league punishment. He would likely get off to a slow start, given that he missed all of camp. In this situation, the whole Browns backfield would be a mess. Judkins, Sampson, and Ford would split touches to start the season, with Judkins gaining the majority of the work as the season progresses.
Scenario two is that Judkins signs his contract and faces a suspension. During his suspension, Sampson would split touches with Ford, but would have upside and potential to start in fantasy lineups. Even when Judkins gets back, Sampson would have a running start in the offense and should hold some fantasy value for a few games after Judkins returns.
Scenario three is that Judkins remains unsigned, and the situation lingers into the season. This scenario could lead to Sampson being a potential league-winner. While still splitting touches to start the year, he is the better bet to take over the backfield given his draft capital and ability to fight through contact. While Ford has proven to be a serviceable back, the younger, more explosive Sampson would provide more fantasy upside as the Browns look to get back to their “ground and pound” approach.
If preseason usage is any indication, Sampson got the first snap in their preseason finale. However, Ford was used plenty as well, and they ended up splitting touches. This is likely how the Browns will approach the backfield without Judkins.
Browns RB Dylan Sampson is a STEAL in fantasy football.
He plays all 3 downs and is running with the starters.
Check out this beautiful play:
— Polymarket Football (@PolymarketBlitz) August 23, 2025
Sampson is currently going off the board as the RB47 in RotoBaller's half-PPR rankings, falling behind Judkins (RB42) and ahead of Ford (54). The Browns will likely struggle this season, with their current projected 4.5 wins, according to BetMGM, but a starting running back is hard to find in the late rounds of fantasy drafts. Once you approach the double-digit rounds of your fantasy drafts, feel free to take a shot at Sampson.
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