Dylan Sampson

Many were disappointed by Dylan Sampson's landing spot with the Cleveland Browns in the 2025 NFL Draft, considering the same team selected another rookie, Quinshon Judkins (ankle), with a top-40 pick. Judkins' summer legal issues opened the door for Sampson to earn major snaps early last season. Still, he failed to truly separate from a committee that included Jerome Ford and Raheim Sanders. He ultimately earned just 32 carries from Judkins' season debut in Week 2 to Week 16, where the starter suffered a dislocated ankle against the Bills. Sampson saw double-digit carries in both weeks that Judkins missed to end the season, but they resulted in more of the same efficiency issues that plagued him all year behind a miserable Browns offensive line. While the former Volunteers star managed a poor 2.7 yards per carry on the ground, he managed 8.2 yards per reception across 32 catches (on 40 targets). That was a bit of a stunner when receiving was seen as a hole in his prospect profile after just 37 catches total in his final two seasons at Tennessee. With Ford departing for the Washington Commanders in free agency, Sampson now has a clear path to receiving work behind Judkins for 2026, and he's a premium handcuff should the star second-year back suffer another injury. Though uncertainty remains in Cleveland's quarterback situation as Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson battle it out during training camp. The arrow is undoubtedly pointed upward for the Browns' offense under new coach Todd Monken after massive overhauls to the offensive line and wide receiver rooms during free agency and April's draft. Cleveland drafted wide receivers Denzel Boston, KC Concepcion, and OT Spencer Fano with their first three picks. Sampson isn't a priority in standard leagues. Still, catching passes will provide some weekly value in PPR formats, where he is ranked 178th overall at RotoBaller with a Sleeper ADP of 165. He's a candidate to be one of those late-round fliers at running back who becomes a weekly starter should an injury occur above him on the depth chart. It's worth noting that Judkins is progressing well in his recovery from an ankle injury, making Sampson mainly a handcuff for Judkins managers or an option in PPR or best ball formats.