The Browns didn’t draft Quinshon Judkins to make him fit somebody else’s idea of a perfect back. They drafted him because he flashed star potential almost immediately, and Cleveland now has to lean into what he does best instead of asking him to cover every box on the checklist.
That conversation matters even more heading into Year 2. Judkins missed most of training camp last season, and now the expectations around him are rising fast. Zac Jackson of The Athletic sees a breakout path in 2026, but only if Judkins keeps sharpening one specific part of his game.
"Judkins has to be healthy and has to learn to play on the pass downs he couldn’t last year due to his summer absence, but he’s going to get plenty of chances to prove he’s an explosive and reliable runner at the game’s highest level," wrote Jackson.
There’s no question Judkins has tools that play in the passing game. He has reliable hands, plus the patience and vision to work through traffic and locate creases at different levels of the defense. On paper, that should make him more than just a straight-ahead runner.
But Cleveland doesn’t have to force the issue. Dylan Sampson is also in the mix, and he already showed real juice as a pass-catching back in limited rookie snaps. He’s also well ahead of Judkins in pass protection, which gives the Browns a clean way to split responsibilities.
The numbers back up the concern. Pro Football Focus gave Judkins a 19.1 pass-blocking grade as a rookie.
In 63 pass plays, he allowed four total pressures, including three hurries and one sack. His college work in that area wasn’t much better, either.
The effort is there, but the technique still needs work.
None of that changes the bigger picture: Cleveland should get Judkins the ball early and often. No matter who wins the quarterback battle, he ought to be a central part of the offense, especially with a revamped offensive line creating more room for him to operate.
What the Browns shouldn’t do is try to turn him into something he isn’t this early in his career. A good running back room is built on fit, not sameness. Judkins can be elite in the areas where he already stands out, while someone else handles more of the passing-game burden.
If he grows into a more complete back, great. If not, Cleveland still has the answer right in front of it: maximize his strengths and let him do what he does best.
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