Through four games, the Browns’ ground game still hasn’t found its stride, and that’s opened the door for a player who barely had time to settle in before making his mark.
Jaleel McLaughlin only needed one snap against the Pittsburgh Steelers to give Cleveland a reason to think bigger. On his lone touch, he ripped off a 28-yard touchdown, turning a brief appearance into a strong argument for a more meaningful role in Todd Monken’s offense.
That run was the kind of burst the Browns have been missing. After a couple of solid blocks by KC Concepcion, McLaughlin hit the opening and was gone. Small sample, sure, but it showed exactly why he can matter in this backfield.
McLaughlin’s path to Cleveland was hardly planned out. He didn’t arrive until Sept. 1, joining the practice squad, and he likely would have stayed there if Dylan Sampson hadn’t landed on injured reserve. Instead, the Browns may have stumbled into a useful piece for a rushing attack that has been searching for juice.
The fit makes sense. Quinshon Judkins has been leaning more on power and downhill running, while McLaughlin brings the kind of quickness and change-of-direction ability that can stress a defense in a different way. Raheim Sanders has been steady as a pass-catching option, but McLaughlin looks like he could handle that change-of-pace job just as well, if not better.
That’s especially important because Cleveland’s run game has been underwhelming. The Browns are averaging 93.8 rushing yards per game, which ranks 25th in the league.
Judkins is at 44.3 yards per game and 3.0 yards per carry. That isn’t all on him, and the offensive line should improve as the season goes on, but the production simply isn’t enough.
At 5-foot-7 and 187 pounds, McLaughlin isn’t built to carry the load. But he doesn’t need to. A few touches can still tilt things in Cleveland’s favor and force defenses to account for his speed.
That matters even more with Deshaun Watson playing his best football since arriving in Cleveland. The question is how long that level can hold if the run game doesn’t catch up. For now, the Browns may already have part of the answer sitting in their own locker room.
In Other News...
Browns Could Face One Trade Deadline Call That Changes Everything
With the 2026 NFL trade deadline still ahead, the Browns are already being linked to ideas that could reshape the roster in a hurry. One of the more eye-catching possibilities is a run at Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., a move that would instantly change the conversation around Clevelands passing game and give the front office a clear swing at adding star power.
There are other names in the mix as well, including Commanders defensive player Chase Young as a possible target and Jerry Jeudy as a receiver whose future could become part of the deadline picture. None of it is set in stone, of course, but the broader point is hard to miss: Cleveland could be staring at a trade deadline decision with real long-term consequences, the kind that says as much about where the franchise thinks it is as where it wants to go next. [Read more 🡒]
Browns' Hot Start Is Creating A New Draft Pick Problem
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It is a good problem to have, of course, and one that comes with the usual tradeoffs. A fast start changes the conversation around the roster, the standings and even the value of future assets, especially with injuries and recent results reshaping the league order each week. For Cleveland, the focus remains on the next stretch of the schedule, but the long view is already getting a little more complicated than it was a month ago. [Read more 🡒]
Browns Have A Chance To Silence One Doubt Before It Gets Bigger
The Browns have a chance this week to quiet a concern that has hung around them for a while, and the timing could hardly be better. Sitting tied for first place in the AFC North, Cleveland heads to face a Jets team mired in a losing streak, with a road matchup that could help the Browns build momentum before a much bigger home date with the Ravens.
There is still enough uncertainty around how this team will look in the biggest moments, from the quarterback decision to how consistently the players and coaches have answered recent challenges. A win in New York would not solve everything, but it would go a long way toward showing the Browns can handle a game they are supposed to win before the pressure rises again next week. [Read more 🡒]