The Cleveland Browns’ 2025 rookie class came in with plenty of promise-especially on the offensive side of the ball-but as the season winds down, only a couple of names have truly delivered. Running back Dylan Sampson has flashed the kind of potential that gets fans excited, and tight end Harold Fannin Jr. has steadily improved as the year’s gone on. But the spotlight remains firmly on quarterback Shedeur Sanders, and not for the reasons the Browns were hoping.
Sanders has shown glimpses of talent, but inconsistency has clouded his rookie campaign. That’s left the Browns front office with a looming decision: stick with Sanders and build around him, or head back to the quarterback well early in the 2026 NFL Draft. Right now, the arrow seems to be pointing toward the latter.
Meanwhile, rookie running back Quinshon Judkins has had a rollercoaster of a first season. On paper, 805 yards and seven touchdowns look solid for a rookie, but the deeper you dig, the more complicated the picture becomes.
Judkins is averaging just 3.6 yards per carry-a number that reflects more than just his own performance. The Browns’ offensive line has struggled to open up consistent running lanes, and with defenses showing little respect for the team’s passing attack, Judkins has often been met by a wall of defenders before he can even get going.
Take a look at some of his recent outings:
- Week 6: 12 carries, 36 yards
- Week 8: 9 carries, 19 yards
- Week 11: 17 carries, 59 yards
- Week 12: 16 carries, 47 yards (the Browns’ only win in that stretch)
- Week 14: 14 carries, 26 yards
- Week 15: 12 carries, 21 yards
Even when you factor in the three weeks not listed here-where he totaled 70 carries for 250 yards-his average still hovers around 3.5 yards per carry. That’s not the kind of efficiency you want from a lead back, but again, context matters. Judkins has been running uphill all season, and it's clear he’s not getting much help.
At one point, Judkins was squarely in the mix for Offensive Rookie of the Year. Now, he’s been leapfrogged in the odds by his own teammate Harold Fannin Jr. and former Ohio State standout TreVeyon Henderson. Even seventh-round pick Kyle Monangai has pulled even with Judkins in the latest projections.
That’s the thing about football-individual performance is always tied to the collective. Judkins might have the tools to be a future star, maybe even the next Nick Chubb, but without a functional offensive line or a credible passing game to keep defenses honest, it’s hard to get a true read on his ceiling.
That brings us back to the quarterback question. Browns fans are split-some want to double down on Sanders and give him more weapons and protection.
Others believe it’s time to hit reset at the position altogether. The truth?
The Browns likely need to do both. If Sanders can turn it around in the final three games of the season, maybe he makes the decision a little tougher.
But if not, Cleveland may be looking at another early pick in the draft-and another shot at finding their franchise quarterback.
For Judkins and the rest of this offense, the hope is that help is on the way-whether it comes through player development, the draft, or a combination of both. Because right now, the talent is there, but the support system isn’t. And in the NFL, that makes all the difference.