The Browns may stall Quinshon Judkins’s signing until the NFL’s internal review wraps, leaving room for a possible suspension despite no criminal charges. Judkins’s fully guaranteed rookie deal adds leverage to the stalemate, and the option to sit out and re-enter the draft looms as his only bargaining chip. In Cleveland, Dylan Sampson and Jerome Ford look primed to absorb more carries if Judkins isn’t ready, with Pierre Strong Jr. as the next man in line, reshaping the backfield’s fantasy calculus for 2025.

From a fantasy perspective, Sampson gains immediate value if Judkins sits out or is held out, while Ford could surge as the lead in Ohio. Strong’s role would likely expand in a committee, especially on early downs. The broader NFL landscape adds further intriguing X-factors: the Commanders’ ongoing RB churn around Brian Robinson Jr., and the Metchie-to-Eagles/Harrison Bryant swap, hinting at shifting backfields and pass-catching roles across the league that could influence late-round drafts and weekly bets.

Cleveland inked Quinshon Judkins in the 2025 NFL draft with the expectation he could eventually take over the Browns’ backfield from Nick Chubb. A July arrest on domestic violence and battery charges briefly paused that plan, but prosecutors declined to move forward, paving the way for a spring/early training-camp return. Judkins’ college resume remains stellar: 3,785 rushing yards, 45 rushing touchdowns, plus 59 catches for 442 yards in three seasons between Ohio State and Ole Miss. Once signed, he’ll compete for the starter role with Dylan Sampson and Jerome Ford, who combined for big college and last season Browns production. The dynamic shapes up as a high-upside fantasy scenario if Judkins seizes the job, or a transparent committee if he’s eased in behind established Browns backs.

The Browns’ depth chart adds intrigue for fantasy managers: Ford led Cleveland last year with 565 rushing yards and three touchdowns; Sampson is coming off 1,491 yards and 22 TDs in 2024 at Tennessee, while Judkins’ pro-ready versatility could cut into every-down role. The litigation matter is resolved for now, but the timing of Judkins’ signing and camp entry will matter for early-season usage and upside. Expect this to become a focal point in Browns training camp reports and fantasy-slate discussions as August approaches.

RotoBaller tallies 2025 fantasy football outlooks for Bhayshul Tuten, Quinshon Judkins, Dylan Sampson, Matthew Golden, Jauan Jennings, Tyler Warren, Ricky Pearsall, Jack Bech, Cedric Tillman, Jayden Reed, and Jaylin Noel. Core take: evaluate rookies and veterans through a lens of offense architecture and depth charts, with a strong emphasis on redraft vs dynasty value. Golden is a Green Bay rookie in a run-heavy offense, often avoided in redraft; Tuten is a high-upside Jaguars back with a real chance to seize lead duties. Noel and Reed headline WR talent for Houston and Green Bay respectively, while Warren’s rushing upside at tight end for Indy could yield surprise value in non-PPR formats. The guide also highlights Jauan Jennings, Tillman, Pearsall, Bech and Tillman as players to monitor for mid-round value and late-season breakouts. The included Who Should I Draft tool lets you compare up to four players at a time to optimize drafting strategy in 2025.

Quinshon Judkins carries a compelling college profile into the NFL, but 2025 faces a cloud from legal trouble that could land him on the commissioner’s exempt list, potentially wiping out his rookie year. Cleveland positioning him as an early-down back would be ideal, yet the Browns’ depth behind him shapes the entire backfield dynamic. If Judkins misses time, Jerome Ford and Dylan Sampson step into the primary roles, reshaping value across the Browns’ offense.

Judkins’ 2024 tape showed power and steadiness, with 1,060 yards and 14 rushing TDs on 194 carries after the Ole Miss move, plus limited but real receiving usage. His college arc includes 1,567 yards and 16 TD as a freshman, then a rebound to 1,060/14 with increased workload split. The projection for 2025 (177 rushing attempts, 672 yards, 6 rush TD; 39 receptions, 306 yards, 3 rec TD; ~9 total TD) gives him PPR upside if he can stay on the field. Yet the safety risk is real, turning this into a high-upside dart throw at best and a clear avoid if the legal situation prevents play.

Cleveland’s first-team spectacle under the Friday night lights centered on Shedeur Sanders, whose preseason debut impressed with calm command and clean mechanics as he guided the Browns to a 30-10 win over Carolina. Sanders wasn’t alone; several Browns rookies — Mason Graham, Carson Schwesinger, and Dylan Sampson — flashed promise, while Luke Floriea, Gage Larvadain, and Adin Huntington drew fans to their early contributions. Undrafted Kaden Davis snagged attention with a two-score night, drawing praise from teammates and opponents alike.

Beyond Cleveland, the spectacle drew in big-name observers from other sports, including a Hall of Famer who shares a famous lineage, Trae Young, Dawn Staley, and LeBron James, highlighting the rare spotlight a Browns preseason game can command. The replay-worthy performances injected immediate optimism about Cleveland’s offensive ceiling and Sanders’ long-term potential, while the Panthers provided a test case for the Browns’ young depth and pass-catching options as they head toward the regular season.