DylanSampson

News: 3 days agoSampson was rested for the Browns' 37-13 win over the Patriots in their Aug. 27 preseason finale.

Spin: Cleveland held both of their top two backs -- Quinshon Judkins and Sampson -- out for the third game of the preseason to open up more playing time for other running backs to stake claims to roster spots. Judkins is locked in as the Browns' lead runner heading into their Week 1 matchup with the Jaguars, but Sampson should have a consistent role as a weapon on passing downs. Sampson proved to be adept as a pass catcher during his 2025 rookie campaign, drawing 40 targets on just 249 snaps while producing a 33-271-2 receiving line. He was much less productive as a runner, however, averaging just 2.7 yards per carry on 65 totes.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Sampson is back for Year 2 in Cleveland after an underwhelming rookie campaign in which he struggled on a small sample of work as a rusher (his 2.69 yards per carry was dead last among 65 qualified backs), but was a contributor in the passing game (23rd among RBs with 33 receptions). Sampson was a young rookie (he doesn't turn 22 until September), so there's still some room for growth, and he's positioned for a larger role behind Quinshon Judkins with Jerome Ford no longer on the roster. Expect Sampson to see some change-of-pace carries and a moderate pass-catching role in 2026. He'll land on the flex radar only if Judkins misses time.