RB Quinshon Judkins, CLE (1 Viewer)

[Hankmoody]

The way OSU used him certainly clarifies a lot of that data, and the small sample size. With Ford there, the drafting of Sampson too, this is part of what concerns me about Judkins as a fantasy RB. Right now I see Cleveland using him in a similar role, limited PPR involvement, grinding out the hard yards. For a mid 1st rookie pick I'm not seeing the upside right now.

The Sampson part probably has me more worried than anything. The draft capital says it shouldn't amount to much, but man were a lot of people high on this kid pre-draft. It does give me a little pause. Not enough to move Judkins that far down though; think I'd still have him as RB4 after Jeanty, Hampton, and Henderson.

They drafted 2 QB as well. You need depth in the NFL and they had plenty of picks. How often do we have the discussion about 4th round RB and draft capital and how utterly replaceable they are? It was just what, two years ago that Damien Pierce was the next league-winner?

I reiterate the comments about watching his Ole Miss film - it's stunning. I'd take freshman Judkins over 2025 Jeanty. I've had him in a devy league since his freshman year and he's pretty much untouchable for me.

 

[MAC_32]

If you draft him mid 1st, are you then planning on taking Sampson mid 2nd?
On one hand you have Cle RB room locked up for yrs in one draft, but it is a lot of draft capital

No, but I never (okay, rarely) draft to cuff, I draft to steal other cuffs.

 

[sushinsky4tsar]

If you draft him mid 1st, are you then planning on taking Sampson mid 2nd?
On one hand you have Cle RB room locked up for yrs in one draft, but it is a lot of draft capital

No, but I never (okay, rarely) draft to cuff, I draft to steal other cuffs.

I think it's likely Judkins will be my selection at 1.5. Next pick is at 2.3 and I don't have any plans on going with Sampson that early, but I have him ranked as my #19 in 1QB, so I'm comfortable spending a mid/late 2nd on Sampson regardless of whether I have Judkins. If Sampson starts looking interesting at 2.3, I'm thinking Judkins won't look like the best option at 1.5.

While it can be nice security to have both guys depending on roster composition, I generally prefer the best package of talent and opportunity for backup RBs and load up with as many that will fit on my roster.

 

[taylormeetstheismann]

No, but I never (okay, rarely) draft to cuff, I draft to steal other cuffs.

I wonder which approach is better.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Over/Under on Cleveland victories this season and how many times they'll be running out the clock?
Armed with 2 first round picks next year, they can help themselves by getting in early position again for a much deeper QB class
I'm not running towards them right now, that QB situation is frightening. When did Kenny Pickett suddenly become good? How far can you ride a 40 yr old $4M Joe Flacco at QB?
When will Dillon Gabriel be ready if ever? He's already 24, went to multiple colleges and could easily fizzle at the NFL level. He wasn't very high on my list
Then there is Shedeuer Sanders and I don't even know where to begin
This has all the makings of a possible 12-13 loss season IMHO, don't see how they are anywhere close to pushing for .500 or the Wildcard spots

The OC and OL coach that was brought in to install the Watson offense are gone. The scheme, including blocking, is reverting back to what it was before he got here. This offseason was spent re-stocking the cupboard with assets that fit that scheme.

While I hated not addressing OL in the draft, the starting 5 (if healthy) is great and a perfect fit for this scheme, whereas they were not with what they were doing last year. The skill position personnel isn't much different than what we saw in 2022 and 2023 - Jeudy instead of Coop, Tillman instead of Moore, but a return to the 2 TE sets (Fannin) that Stefanski favored with Baker. Those teams went 18-15 over those 2 seasons and the RB's carried the ball 400+ times in each season, scoring double digit TD's.

You didn't answer my question
O/U for Cleveland victories this year, what are you projecting in early May?

 

[menobrown]

No, but I never (okay, rarely) draft to cuff, I draft to steal other cuffs.

I wonder which approach is better.

I ponder that question every year but in the case of Sampson vs Judkins it's not just a cuff, it's a hedge as there is a non-zero chance that Sampson turns out better.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

The way OSU used him certainly clarifies a lot of that data, and the small sample size. With Ford there, the drafting of Sampson too, this is part of what concerns me about Judkins as a fantasy RB. Right now I see Cleveland using him in a similar role, limited PPR involvement, grinding out the hard yards. For a mid 1st rookie pick I'm not seeing the upside right now.

The Sampson part probably has me more worried than anything. The draft capital says it shouldn't amount to much, but man were a lot of people high on this kid pre-draft. It does give me a little pause. Not enough to move Judkins that far down though; think I'd still have him as RB4 after Jeanty, Hampton, and Henderson.

They drafted 2 QB as well. You need depth in the NFL and they had plenty of picks. How often do we have the discussion about 4th round RB and draft capital and how utterly replaceable they are? It was just what, two years ago that Damien Pierce was the next league-winner?

I reiterate the comments about watching his Ole Miss film - it's stunning. I'd take freshman Judkins over 2025 Jeanty. I've had him in a devy league since his freshman year and he's pretty much untouchable for me.

I would say another thing regarding Sampson is generally when there is a disconnect in a guy's talent between the fantasy community and where the NFL ends up picking him in the draft, the NFL ends up being right.

IE guys like Dwyer and ESB that went lower than anticipated didn't end up being bargains because you could get them a few picks later in fantasy drafts than people were thinking they'd cost prior to the NFL draft.

So if the fantasy community thought Sampson was a 2nd rounder but he fell much further in the NFL draft, it's probably more likely that they NFL was right about him than the fantasy community.

 

[taylormeetstheismann]

No, but I never (okay, rarely) draft to cuff, I draft to steal other cuffs.

I wonder which approach is better.

I ponder that question every year but in the case of Sampson vs Judkins it's not just a cuff, it's a hedge as there is a non-zero chance that Sampson turns out better.

I think you are correct. Definitely not zero and I’ve thought about taking a flyer on Sampson for that reason.

Maybe the thing to do regarding handcuffs is to look at all 32 teams and identify where there is a relatively clear handcuff option behind a solid starter and then see if they are actually available in the league. There won’t be an obvious and available handcuff on all 32 NFL teams. It’ll be more like maybe 8-12 instances. Then it’s just a question of ranking them and acquiring them as desired. Maybe it doesn’t matter a lot of you are insuring yourself or speculating.

Obviously I’m thinking contract or dynasty league not so much redraft where rosters are more modest.

 

[taylormeetstheismann]

@menobrown I sifted through the depth charts and found exactly four “handcuffs” I could remotely get excited about in 2025.

Roschon Johnson
Jordan Mason (MIN)
Zack Charbonnet
Tyjae Spears

I’m sure a good case could be made for a few more. I’ll leave that to others if they wish to add theirs.

 

[MAC_32]

Over/Under on Cleveland victories this season and how many times they'll be running out the clock?
Armed with 2 first round picks next year, they can help themselves by getting in early position again for a much deeper QB class
I'm not running towards them right now, that QB situation is frightening. When did Kenny Pickett suddenly become good? How far can you ride a 40 yr old $4M Joe Flacco at QB?
When will Dillon Gabriel be ready if ever? He's already 24, went to multiple colleges and could easily fizzle at the NFL level. He wasn't very high on my list
Then there is Shedeuer Sanders and I don't even know where to begin
This has all the makings of a possible 12-13 loss season IMHO, don't see how they are anywhere close to pushing for .500 or the Wildcard spots

The OC and OL coach that was brought in to install the Watson offense are gone. The scheme, including blocking, is reverting back to what it was before he got here. This offseason was spent re-stocking the cupboard with assets that fit that scheme.

While I hated not addressing OL in the draft, the starting 5 (if healthy) is great and a perfect fit for this scheme, whereas they were not with what they were doing last year. The skill position personnel isn't much different than what we saw in 2022 and 2023 - Jeudy instead of Coop, Tillman instead of Moore, but a return to the 2 TE sets (Fannin) that Stefanski favored with Baker. Those teams went 18-15 over those 2 seasons and the RB's carried the ball 400+ times in each season, scoring double digit TD's.

You didn't answer my question
O/U for Cleveland victories this year, what are you projecting in early May?

Not something I spend energy on right now. Doesn't impact my dyno strategy and my redrafts aren't til late Aug. Between now and then is the information gathering stage.

 

[MAC_32]

No, but I never (okay, rarely) draft to cuff, I draft to steal other cuffs.

I wonder which approach is better.

I want to maximize my number of potential hits, not maximize my probability for a single hit. The former opens up not just options, but increased asset accumulation opportunities too.

 

[-OZ-]

@menobrown I sifted through the depth charts and found exactly four “handcuffs” I could remotely get excited about in 2025.

Roschon Johnson
Jordan Mason (MIN)
Zack Charbonnet
Tyjae Spears

I’m sure a good case could be made for a few more. I’ll leave that to others if they wish to add theirs.

Where do you put Najeh, Warren/kaleb, R white, or allgeier?

 

[taylormeetstheismann]

@menobrown I sifted through the depth charts and found exactly four “handcuffs” I could remotely get excited about in 2025.

Roschon Johnson
Jordan Mason (MIN)
Zack Charbonnet
Tyjae Spears

I’m sure a good case could be made for a few more. I’ll leave that to others if they wish to add theirs.

Where do you put Najeh, Warren/kaleb, R white, or allgeier?

There are good arguments for all of them. I’m just not excited about any of them. If I was adding to the list, Harris and White for sure. Maybe Allgeier. Much less excited about Warren but he qualifies too. I could make arguments for Ray Davis, Dameon Pierce, Black Corum, Jaylen Wright, Issac Guerendo, Austin Ekeler and Zack Moss too but I’m sure someone here could set me straight on a few of them and explain why they aren’t good handcuff options due to other stuff going in the backfield that I’m not up to speed on.

 

[FarFromHome]

Okay. First off I'm not a scout i have a degree in internet warrior. I woke up with Kaleb ranked over Quinshon. I've watched a bunch of tape. Did some reading. I now have Quinshon over Kaleb. He is a little faster and at least tested as a bit better of an athlete. Outside of that my takeway on film tipped the scale. Quinshon seems to run a little more compact which suits the speed of the nfl a little better. His shorter stride in traffic just looks smoother to me. All my opinion of course and reserve the right to swap them again based on discussion .

Posted in Kaleb thread for discussion also.

 

[Gatorade]

Okay. First off I'm not a scout i have a degree in internet warrior. I woke up with Kaleb ranked over Quinshon. I've watched a bunch of tape. Did some reading. I now have Quinshon over Kaleb. He is a little faster and at least tested as a bit better of an athlete. Outside of that my takeway on film tipped the scale. Quinshon seems to run a little more compact which suits the speed of the nfl a little better. His shorter stride in traffic just looks smoother to me. All my opinion of course and reserve the right to swap them again based on discussion .

Posted in Kaleb thread for discussion also.

Glad you woke up.
I think Johnson has the higher floor.
Q has the higher ceiling.

 

[FarFromHome]

Okay. Ive now actually read this thread and don't feel as good about him as I did before reading it. Smh

 

[Ilov80s]

Okay. Ive now actually read this thread and don't feel as good about him as I did before reading it. Smh

He was the victim of over analysis backlash this draft year. He’s a RB built in a lab physically and was probably the best RB in the country not named Jahmyr Gibbs or Bijan Robsinson as a true freshman in the SEC.

 

[mjb03003]

Didn’t I read Quinshon transferred to Ohio State because he wanted to share touches and not go pro with 1200 carries?

 

[Ilov80s]

Didn’t I read Quinshon transferred to Ohio State because he wanted to share touches and not go pro with 1200 carries?

Yes he did say that. Pretty smart.

 

[mjb03003]

Didn’t I read Quinshon transferred to Ohio State because he wanted to share touches and not go pro with 1200 carries?

Yes he did say that. Pretty smart.

Extremely smart and perhaps the only thing that prevented him from putting up video game numbers.

 

[menobrown]

Didn’t I read Quinshon transferred to Ohio State because he wanted to share touches and not go pro with 1200 carries?

Yes he did say that. Pretty smart.

Extremely smart and perhaps the only thing that prevented him from putting up video game numbers.

He also had over 500 touches in high school and one of the writeups I saw listed wear and tear in his negative column so for sure he was right to try and ease up on that if he could.

 

[Faust]

@FantasyPtsData
The Cleveland Browns trailed on nearly 73% of their offensive plays in 2024.

RBs average just 0.24 fantasy points/snap while trailing -- about 30% less than while leading or tied (in .5 PPR).

Quinshon Judkins has the worst situation of any RB this year, and it's not close.

https://x.com/fantasyptsdata/status/1924549570710700059?s=61

 

[Bracie Smathers]

@FantasyPtsData
The Cleveland Browns trailed on nearly 73% of their offensive plays in 2024.

RBs average just 0.24 fantasy points/snap while trailing -- about 30% less than while leading or tied (in .5 PPR).

https://x.com/fantasyptsdata/status/1924549570710700059?s=61

in 2024... Quinshon Judkins has the worst situation of any RB this year, and it's not close.
If it was 2024 and not 2025, he would be in the worst situation of any RB this year, but it is not 2024.
In 2024 the Browns wagon was hitched ride-or-die to QB Deshaun Watson and that experiment died.
This year? A mess but at least it is not Deshaun who we know failed. This year expect struggles but look at Watson's stats at the start of the season.
In 7 starts he never threw for 200 yards.
In 7 starts he threw for more than 1 TD one time.
In 7 starts he had one win and six losses.
In 2025 it is a mess, but does anyone think the bar was so high that the mess of 2025 can't improve upon what Deshaun Watson put up in 2024?
In 2024 the Browns had injuries all along the offensive line BEFORE the season began and that caused all sorts of shuffling that the team never recovered from. The team also had a rookie O-Line coach who was simply awful and ineffective after allowing the best offensive line coach in the league go coach with his son who became a HC.
Browns continue to be in flux with offensive line injuries heading into Week 4 matchup with Raiders Updated: Sep. 26, 2024,
2024 Position Preview: Breaking down the Browns offensive line Browns will have three tackles back in 2024 following injuries during the 2023 season Jul 10, 2024
... The Browns will see the return of key tackles during the 2024 season in Conklin, Jones and Wills. They each suffered season-ending knee injuries throughout different points of the 2023 season and have continued their recovery processes.
In 2024 Amari Cooper was coming off back-to-back 1,000 yard receiving seasons, a Browns record. He was firmly entrenched as the Browns #1 WR, but he was angry because he wanted a contract extension that he knew wasn't coming. Amari had a bad attitude and led the league in dropped passes in the 6 games he played with the Browns. He looked disinterested and lazy. In 5 of his starts he had 0 TDs. In the first two games he had a combined 26 yards on 17 passing targets. Complete garbage. The team traded him away and had to go with Jerry Jeudy as a #1 WR and JJ was a VAST improvement over Amari, but the team was left depleted in the WR corps.
In 2024 the team had its best offensive player on IR, Nick Chubb. That forced Jerome Ford into the starting role. The running back corps was depleted.
It is 2025.
The O-Line is not loaded with injuries BEFORE the season has begun.
The O-Line doesn't have a rookie O-Line coach who doesn't know what he's doing.
The WR corps doesn't have a #1 WR with a bad attitude entering the season.
The QB ISN'T Deshuan Watson and that is a VERY GOOD THING.
The RB corps has been rejuvenated and isn't depleted entering the year.
The OC has been replaced and a knew 2-TE 12 personnel, run-heavy attack has been installed.
Fantasy Pts Data has it wrong.
Quinshon Judkins is in a pretty good situation to succeed IMHO.

 

[FarFromHome]

@FantasyPtsData
The Cleveland Browns trailed on nearly 73% of their offensive plays in 2024.

RBs average just 0.24 fantasy points/snap while trailing -- about 30% less than while leading or tied (in .5 PPR).

https://x.com/fantasyptsdata/status/1924549570710700059?s=61

in 2024... Quinshon Judkins has the worst situation of any RB this year, and it's not close.
If it was 2024 and not 2025, he would be in the worst situation of any RB this year, but it is not 2024.
In 2024 the Browns wagon was hitched ride-or-die to QB Deshaun Watson and that experiment died.
This year? A mess but at least it is not Deshaun who we know failed. This year expect struggles but look at Watson's stats at the start of the season.
In 7 starts he never threw for 200 yards.
In 7 starts he threw for more than 1 TD one time.
In 7 starts he had one win and six losses.
In 2025 it is a mess, but does anyone think the bar was so high that the mess of 2025 can't improve upon what Deshaun Watson put up in 2024?
In 2024 the Browns had injuries all along the offensive line BEFORE the season began and that caused all sorts of shuffling that the team never recovered from. The team also had a rookie O-Line coach who was simply awful and ineffective after allowing the best offensive line coach in the league go coach with his son who became a HC.
Browns continue to be in flux with offensive line injuries heading into Week 4 matchup with Raiders Updated: Sep. 26, 2024,
2024 Position Preview: Breaking down the Browns offensive line Browns will have three tackles back in 2024 following injuries during the 2023 season Jul 10, 2024
... The Browns will see the return of key tackles during the 2024 season in Conklin, Jones and Wills. They each suffered season-ending knee injuries throughout different points of the 2023 season and have continued their recovery processes.
In 2024 Amari Cooper was coming off back-to-back 1,000 yard receiving seasons, a Browns record. He was firmly entrenched as the Browns #1 WR, but he was angry because he wanted a contract extension that he knew wasn't coming. Amari had a bad attitude and led the league in dropped passes in the 6 games he played with the Browns. He looked disinterested and lazy. In 5 of his starts he had 0 TDs. In the first two games he had a combined 26 yards on 17 passing targets. Complete garbage. The team traded him away and had to go with Jerry Jeudy as a #1 WR and JJ was a VAST improvement over Amari, but the team was left depleted in the WR corps.
In 2024 the team had its best offensive player on IR, Nick Chubb. That forced Jerome Ford into the starting role. The running back corps was depleted.
It is 2025.
The O-Line is not loaded with injuries BEFORE the season has begun.
The O-Line doesn't have a rookie O-Line coach who doesn't know what he's doing.
The WR corps doesn't have a #1 WR with a bad attitude entering the season.
The QB ISN'T Deshuan Watson and that is a VERY GOOD THING.
The RB corps has been rejuvenated and isn't depleted entering the year.
The OC has been replaced and a knew 2-TE 12 personnel, run-heavy attack has been installed.
Fantasy Pts Data has it wrong.
Quinshon Judkins is in a pretty good situation to succeed IMHO.

I read that last night and immediately thought Kaleb it is. Ha ha

 

[Bracie Smathers]

The OC has been replaced and a knew 2-TE 12 personnel, run-heavy attack has been installed.

What’s next for the Browns between now and training camp in late July
... One of the most anticipated aspects of OTAs and minicamp is the rejuvenated running game, led by second-round back Quinshon Judkins out of Ohio State, and fourth-round back Dylan Sampson out of Tennessee.

The offensive linemen, as Joel Bitonio has pointed out, are eager to get back to a gritty, rugged Cleveland Browns style of running the ball.

 

[-OZ-]

The OC has been replaced and a knew 2-TE 12 personnel, run-heavy attack has been installed.

What’s next for the Browns between now and training camp in late July
... One of the most anticipated aspects of OTAs and minicamp is the rejuvenated running game, led by second-round back Quinshon Judkins out of Ohio State, and fourth-round back Dylan Sampson out of Tennessee.

The offensive linemen, as Joel Bitonio has pointed out, are eager to get back to a gritty, rugged Cleveland Browns style of running the ball.

They’re obviously different people and expecting anyone to be the next Chubb is outlandish but the similarities are legit.

As much as I dislike the browns and Ohio State, I’m pulling for the guy.

 

[dipandglide]

Okay. Ive now actually read this thread and don't feel as good about him as I did before reading it. Smh

He was the victim of over analysis backlash this draft year. He’s a RB built in a lab physically and was probably the best RB in the country not named Jahmyr Gibbs or Bijan Robsinson as a true freshman in the SEC.

This

Judkins passes the eye test. He's a great athlete, is young, and has produced with his opportunities. I'm taking him over Henderson and Johnson regardless of his current situation.

 

[Dez]

@pinkstapler Great post!

The way OSU used him certainly clarifies a lot of that data, and the small sample size. With Ford there, the drafting of Sampson too, this is part of what concerns me about Judkins as a fantasy RB. Right now I see Cleveland using him in a similar role, limited PPR involvement, grinding out the hard yards. For a mid 1st rookie pick I'm not seeing the upside right now.

The Sampson part probably has me more worried than anything. The draft capital says it shouldn't amount to much, but man were a lot of people high on this kid pre-draft. It does give me a little pause. Not enough to move Judkins that far down though; think I'd still have him as RB4 after Jeanty, Hampton, and Henderson.

Let’s not forget, he said he transferred to Ohio St. to reduce his workload. They said this during the draft. Ole Miss ran him into the ground. So he may welcome a split workload with Sampson

I expect pretty much every RB in the NFL to have a counter part that sees a significant number of touches. The key part is getting the high value touches.

Agreed...Ford doesn't worry me because we know what he is...if there is a worry it is Sampson...if he is legit that adds another dynamic to the backfield.

What’s nice, or I guess I should say “ok” is that you can easily draft both in rookie drafts.

If you’re in the position to get Judkins, seems you can also add Sampson in the 3rd round. Maybe 3.04-3.07 range.

Not in the one draft I took Judkins.
I took Judkins at pick 10
Sampson went pick 16.

In a different draft where I didn't get Judkins I took Sampson at pick 40.

 

[Dez]

Wrote up pre-draft

Quinshon Judkins: Future fantasy superstar | PlayerProfiler

Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins is a sleeping giant in a loaded 2025 running back draft class, mark it down.

www.playerprofiler.com

 

[Bracie Smathers]

Yeah, I can see this.
Patriots were debating another prospect as pick No. 38 approached, along with TreVeyon Henderson
... Wolf said that, as the Patriots “were close” to making the selection at No. 38, they were “debating” Henderson and another player. There were “differing opinions” in the draft room.
... Who was the other player?
Only five were taken before the Patriots were up on the second day of the draft: linebacker Carson Schwesinger, receiver Jayden Higgins, safety Nick Emmanwori, running back Quinshon Judkins, and guard Jonah Savalinaea.
The most obvious candidate to be subject of the debate is Judkins ...
Given that the Patriots used the pick on a running back and Judkins was the other running back, it’s natural to think they were debating between the two Ohio State running backs...
... The possibility that the Patriots may have been debating Henderson vs. Judkins and that the Browns potentially choosing between them adds another layer of intrigue to the question of which one fares better in the NFL.

 

[JohnnyU]

I love both Judkins and Henderson, but Henderson’s abilities in the passing game is the difference maker. Add that with his outstanding vision and I see stud. I think both will be successful, but I think Judkins carries more risk because of his limitations in the passing game, in addition to the uncertainties of the offense as a whole. As of today I’m happy with either, but happier with Henderson.

 

[kface]

I love both Judkins and Henderson, but Henderson’s abilities in the passing game is the difference maker. Add that with his outstanding vision and I see stud. I think both will be successful, but I think Judkins carries more risk because of his limitations in the passing game, in addition to the uncertainties of the offense as a whole. As of today I’m happy with either, but happier with Henderson.

Our draft has started and i own picks 5-9 in a superflex league. Henderson, remarkably, went 3rd which leaves me with Judkins I suspect. Was shocked at how high he went. Quietly hoping Hunter falls one more spot...

 

[menobrown]

Yeah, I can see this.
Patriots were debating another prospect as pick No. 38 approached, along with TreVeyon Henderson
... Wolf said that, as the Patriots “were close” to making the selection at No. 38, they were “debating” Henderson and another player. There were “differing opinions” in the draft room.
... Who was the other player?
Only five were taken before the Patriots were up on the second day of the draft: linebacker Carson Schwesinger, receiver Jayden Higgins, safety Nick Emmanwori, running back Quinshon Judkins, and guard Jonah Savalinaea.
The most obvious candidate to be subject of the debate is Judkins ...
Given that the Patriots used the pick on a running back and Judkins was the other running back, it’s natural to think they were debating between the two Ohio State running backs...
... The possibility that the Patriots may have been debating Henderson vs. Judkins and that the Browns potentially choosing between them adds another layer of intrigue to the question of which one fares better in the NFL.

FWIW Greg Bedard said it was Jonah Savaiinaea.

I'm not going to say for 100% sure but even before I heard that from Bedard I doubted it was Judkins because I don't think they were looking for a RB specifically, not a Rahamondre replacement if you will, but Henderson offered two major items they lacked. Play making/field changing speed and pass protection for Maye. Which I'm not sure is exactly good for Henderson's fantasy value.

 

[JohnnyU]

Yeah, I can see this.
Patriots were debating another prospect as pick No. 38 approached, along with TreVeyon Henderson
... Wolf said that, as the Patriots “were close” to making the selection at No. 38, they were “debating” Henderson and another player. There were “differing opinions” in the draft room.
... Who was the other player?
Only five were taken before the Patriots were up on the second day of the draft: linebacker Carson Schwesinger, receiver Jayden Higgins, safety Nick Emmanwori, running back Quinshon Judkins, and guard Jonah Savalinaea.
The most obvious candidate to be subject of the debate is Judkins ...
Given that the Patriots used the pick on a running back and Judkins was the other running back, it’s natural to think they were debating between the two Ohio State running backs...
... The possibility that the Patriots may have been debating Henderson vs. Judkins and that the Browns potentially choosing between them adds another layer of intrigue to the question of which one fares better in the NFL.

FWIW Greg Bedard said it was Jonah Savaiinaea.

I'm not going to say for 100% sure but even before I heard that from Bedard I doubted it was Judkins because I don't think they were looking for a RB specifically, not a Rahamondre replacement if you will, but Henderson offered two major items they lacked. Play making/field changing speed and pass protection for Maye. Which I'm not sure is exactly good for Henderson's fantasy value.

It’s good for Henderson being on the field more. Even if that wasn’t true he can do more with less than probably any other RB in the class.

 

[menobrown]

Yeah, I can see this.
Patriots were debating another prospect as pick No. 38 approached, along with TreVeyon Henderson
... Wolf said that, as the Patriots “were close” to making the selection at No. 38, they were “debating” Henderson and another player. There were “differing opinions” in the draft room.
... Who was the other player?
Only five were taken before the Patriots were up on the second day of the draft: linebacker Carson Schwesinger, receiver Jayden Higgins, safety Nick Emmanwori, running back Quinshon Judkins, and guard Jonah Savalinaea.
The most obvious candidate to be subject of the debate is Judkins ...
Given that the Patriots used the pick on a running back and Judkins was the other running back, it’s natural to think they were debating between the two Ohio State running backs...
... The possibility that the Patriots may have been debating Henderson vs. Judkins and that the Browns potentially choosing between them adds another layer of intrigue to the question of which one fares better in the NFL.

FWIW Greg Bedard said it was Jonah Savaiinaea.

I'm not going to say for 100% sure but even before I heard that from Bedard I doubted it was Judkins because I don't think they were looking for a RB specifically, not a Rahamondre replacement if you will, but Henderson offered two major items they lacked. Play making/field changing speed and pass protection for Maye. Which I'm not sure is exactly good for Henderson's fantasy value.

It’s good for Henderson being on the field more. Even if that wasn’t true he can do more with less than probably any other RB in the class.

I think it's going to keep Henderson off the field a lot more then people/you are expecting because Rhamondre's going to be on it a lot more.

He's got big play speed and in fantasy a reception usually carries 3x the weight of a rush so it is a big plus he does not need to have a huge load to be good for fantasy but I've got a lot lower on him after NE drafted him and the more I've thought about it I've only gotten lower. Solid floor, feel like his ceiling is going to be a letdown.

 

[tjford]

I drafted at 1.06/1.07 a lot this year so I ended up with more shares of Judkins than the average owner. I'm having a hard time forecasting a huge year for him this year but maybe a solid contributor season?

Cleveland carried the ball 391 times last season with 308 of those carries going to RBs. This was 4th lowest in the NFL. If you assume a return to the NFL median of 450 carries and a reduction of QB carries if Joe Flacco is the starter, I think you could talk yourself into ~410 RB carries for the Browns.

Jerome Ford is very likely the passing down back again and although he took a pay cut to stick around, that salary is guaranteed. Cleveland threw the ball 62 to backs last year (Ford - 37, Pierre Strong - 14). Flacco isn't a stranger to throwing to the RB but I'm not sure that Judkins is seeing that many receptions. He is probably the Chubb role in the offense. Hard to envision more than 15 receptions barring a Ford injury.

That leaves you with splitting up those 410 carries for the majority of his value. Feel free to poke holes in my guess here but I can't seem to talk myself into anything more than a 50/40/10 split for Judkins/Ford/Sampson with Ford getting more work early and Judkins getting more work later in the year? Assume 4.4 YPC league average for running backs and a return to the NFL median in rushing TDs (15) for the Browns gives me something close to this:

Judkins - 205 carries for 902 yards and 8 TDs, 15 rec for 75 yards and 1 TD
Ford - 164 carries for 722 yards and 6 TDs, 40 rec for 300 yards and 2 TDs
Sampson - 41 carries for 180 yards and 1 TD, 5 rec for 25 yards

Maybe you could talk me into a slightly better YPC if Judkins really is that great or maybe Judkins coming in on short yardage for Ford bumping his TD total to 10ish but I don't see a path to even 250 carries unless Ford is hurt. Am I wrong?

 

[Biabreakable]

With the lack of other quality options at WR right now on the Patriots I could see them using Henderson more as a receiver because of that.

Perhaps this is what tilted their decision this way.

 

[menobrown]

Just going to add I think the negative of the Browns rushing attempts last year is a little misguided. A little chicken or the egg.

The last few years they had fully healthy Chubb were they were third in the league in rushing attempts each season. There may have been a few different OC's but this has always been Stefanskis offense.

But when you go from Nick Chubb to Jerome Ford you don't run the ball so much. It's why they drafted Judkins as high as they did, to get back to what they were doing.

 

[FarFromHome]

Just going to add I think the negative of the Browns rushing attempts last year is a little misguided. A little chicken or the egg.

The last few years they had fully healthy Chubb were they were third in the league in rushing attempts each season. There may have been a few different OC's but this has always been Stefanskis offense.

But when you go from Nick Chubb to Jerome Ford you don't run the ball so much. It's why they drafted Judkins as high as they did, to get back to what they were doing.

This. Last season rushing attempts for Browns was an outlier. They brought Garrett back and spent first two picks on defense, so that geoup is at least solid. I see them back at 500 rushing attempts. I also see a scenario where they give their highly drafted rb 250 plus carries. Can they move the ball with that QB room is the question. That really bad offense is the huge red flag with Judkins. Glad we have a few months to evaluate before most of us have to make the decision on him.

 

[Biabreakable]

Just going to add I think the negative of the Browns rushing attempts last year is a little misguided. A little chicken or the egg.

The last few years they had fully healthy Chubb were they were third in the league in rushing attempts each season. There may have been a few different OC's but this has always been Stefanskis offense.

But when you go from Nick Chubb to Jerome Ford you don't run the ball so much. It's why they drafted Judkins as high as they did, to get back to what they were doing.

The Browns averaged 512 rushing attempts per season from 2021 to 2023 then only had 391 last season.

They drafted 2 RB. I would expect the total rushing attempts to be closer to 500 in 2025 than 400.

 

[dipandglide]

I love both Judkins and Henderson, but Henderson’s abilities in the passing game is the difference maker. Add that with his outstanding vision and I see stud. I think both will be successful, but I think Judkins carries more risk because of his limitations in the passing game, in addition to the uncertainties of the offense as a whole. As of today I’m happy with either, but happier with Henderson.

Henderson is a better complement to Stevenson.

Quinshon has the higher upside if he gets involved in the passing game. He's better in that department than he's given credit for.

 

[Ray Barboni]

If Quinshon would’ve stayed at Ole Miss, he would’ve been talked about as the top RB in this draft.

Pepperidge Farm remembers, and so should you.

 

[JohnnyU]

After the three bunnies to start the year Judkins didn’t gain 100 yards again until the championship game and 70 of those came on one play. In fact, six games between week 6 and week 13 he averaged less than 4 yards per carry, with four of them less than three yards per carry. Add in the non-existent receiving, it does raise an eyebrow. Just sayin’.

 

[menobrown]

I think you like Judkins but are letting your Henderson emotions getting you in the mode of trying to make up false negatives on Judkins.

After the three bunnies to start the year Judkins didn’t gain 100 yards again until the championship game and 70 of those came on one play

Henderson had zero

Add in the non-existent receiving

He had 5 less catches in the same offense.

 

[Faust]

Browns RB Quinshon Judkins hopes to help 'change the organization': 'I know what it takes to win'

 

[FreeBaGeL]

Regarding the Sampson discussion, here is a post someone put together on Reddit where they pulled up every instance of the last 10 years where a team drafted two players from the same position in the same draft.

https://www.reddit.com/r/DynastyFF/comments/1kwq6hv/lets_look_at_the_history_of_teams_drafting_two/

The results are essentially that the only times the lessor pick has really ever usurped the higher pick are when we were talking about a 5th rounder vs a 4th round (Aaron Jones over Jamaal Williams, Tyreek over DeMarcus Robinson).

If a team uses premium capital on a guy it doesn't really seem to matter if they draft another guy later. That guy is usually just depth.

 

[menobrown]

e results are essentially that the only times the lessor pick has really ever usurped the higher pick are when we were talking about a 5th rounder vs a 4th round (Aaron Jones over Jamaal Williams, Tyreek over DeMarcus Robinson).

TE is the big position that comes to mind.

Musgrave/Kraft and Andrews/Likely. From a fantasy perspective as great as Gronk was Aaron Hernandez might have given him a run for his money.

Might be a stretch due to other factors but the other big one I think of is Cousins/RG3.

But at RB the Jamaal Williams/Aaron Jones is only one that comes to mind and as you pointed out that's very different draft capital.

Really liked Sampson coming into the draft but not really worried about him taking the job from Judkins, but he might put a cap on his upside eventually.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

Browns Rookie Draws Comparison To 2 Pro Bowl RBs
NFL Rookie Watch
@NFLRookieWatxh
Quinshon Judkins looks like he might be the next GENERATIONAL Browns RB.
Several sources close to the Browns reportedly believe Judkins has a “twitch” Cleveland hasn’t seen since Nick Chubb’s prime.
One NFL scout reportedly believes Judkins is the “NFL’s next” Alvin Kamara (Saints RB).
“There’s just so many similarities between Judkins, Kamara, and Gibbs (Lions RB). He’s going to play a big role in Cleveland’s rushing attack.
”The Browns are reportedly looking to utilize their new duo (Judkins and Dylan Sampson) “similarly” to the way they utilized Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt as a duo in 2020.
The Browns rookie RB is going to put up NUMBERS next season

 

[eighsse2]

Browns Rookie Draws Comparison To 2 Pro Bowl RBs
NFL Rookie Watch
@NFLRookieWatxh
Quinshon Judkins looks like he might be the next GENERATIONAL Browns RB.
Several sources close to the Browns reportedly believe Judkins has a “twitch” Cleveland hasn’t seen since Nick Chubb’s prime.
One NFL scout reportedly believes Judkins is the “NFL’s next” Alvin Kamara (Saints RB).
“There’s just so many similarities between Judkins, Kamara, and Gibbs (Lions RB). He’s going to play a big role in Cleveland’s rushing attack.
”The Browns are reportedly looking to utilize their new duo (Judkins and Dylan Sampson) “similarly” to the way they utilized Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt as a duo in 2020.
The Browns rookie RB is going to put up NUMBERS next season

So what are these guys looking at for the rookie season? 3,700 rushing, 212 receptions for another 3,200? ~75 total TD's? Any chance he could break some career-span records in only one season?

/sarcasm

p.s. I love the little parentheticals letting us know who Kamara and Gibbs are.

 

[Faust]

Matt Wilson
This cut by Quinshon Judkins just made me LOL.

Look how smooth he is flipping his hips and changing direction.
#Browns #DawgPound #NFL

https://x.com/coachwilson66/status/1930299133052518894?s=61