The Cleveland Browns are staring down a pivotal offseason, and no matter who’s calling the shots in March, one thing is clear: the offensive line needs a serious overhaul. After years of being a strength, age and injuries have chipped away at the foundation of this unit - and now, it might be time for a full reset.
Let’s be blunt: the Browns could be looking at replacing all five starters up front. That’s not hyperbole - it’s a reflection of how much attrition this group has faced. And while the 2025 Draft didn’t deliver any new blood along the line (Cleveland passed on drafting a single offensive lineman), the front office did invest heavily in the offense elsewhere, selecting two quarterbacks, two running backs, and a tight end.
That investment in the backfield is already paying dividends. Rookie running backs Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson have emerged as two of the Browns' most productive offensive weapons.
Judkins is closing in on a 1,000-yard season - just 216 yards shy with four games left - while Sampson has carved out a dual-threat role, ranking second on the team in rushing and fourth in receiving. That’s not just impressive for a rookie - it’s a sign of how quickly he’s earned the coaching staff’s trust.
Sampson’s role is only likely to grow from here, especially with Jerome Ford now sidelined for the rest of the season. The fourth-year back landed on injured reserve after sustaining a shoulder injury against the Titans, cutting short what could have been a crucial final audition before hitting free agency.
Ford’s story in Cleveland is a familiar one in the NFL - a mid-round pick who stepped up when the team needed him most. He was instrumental during the post-Nick Chubb transition, racking up 813 yards and four touchdowns in 2023, and averaging a career-best 5.4 yards per carry in 2024.
But the writing’s been on the wall since April, when the Browns used second- and fourth-round picks on Judkins and Sampson. Ford was entering the final year of his rookie deal, and the team was clearly planning for the future.
That future now belongs to the rookies. Sampson has already begun to outpace Ford in usage, and with the latter now shelved, expect Raheim Sanders to step into a more prominent game-day role.
Statistically, Ford’s 2025 campaign was a sharp drop-off. He logged 269 offensive snaps, but his production lagged behind Judkins, Sampson, and even wide receiver Malachi Corley in rushing yards. His 3.0 yards per carry on 24 attempts is a far cry from the efficiency he showed a year ago.
With the Browns projected to have 10 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft and limited financial flexibility thanks to the Deshaun Watson contract situation, tough decisions are coming. Ford, a fifth-round pick back in 2022, gave Cleveland solid depth and stepped up when called upon. But with younger, more dynamic options now in the fold, and the team needing every cap dollar it can find, it’s likely the two sides will part ways.
This offseason is shaping up to be a defining one for Cleveland - not just in the trenches, but across the roster. The Browns have talent, especially in the backfield, but building a line to support it will be the next big challenge.