Sampson was only 19 years old when the 2024 season began and proceeded to crush the SEC to the tune of 1,491 yards and 22 touchdowns on the ground. Sampson then surprisingly fell in the NFL Draft, and the Cleveland Browns surprisingly used a Day 3 selection on the RB position after already securing Quinshon Judkins in Round 2. And after Judkins' arrest in July, the Browns might need Sampson to step up. His combination of speed, burst and vision paired with excellent tempo and footwork allows him to navigate traffic and take what the offensive line creates for him. If he can prove he can handle pro-level defenses, he could see the field before Judkins given a likely suspension for his fellow rookie. But even then, he'll likely share reps with Jerome Ford and may be limited by the low-scoring offensive environment in Cleveland. Sampson is a fine dart throw in the Round 13-14 range because he offers more upside than most bench stashes.
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2024
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2023
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Fantasy News
Browns' Dylan Sampson: Gets start against Rams
Rotowire
Sampson carried the ball twice for three yards and caught his only target for 14 yards in Saturday's 19-17 preseason win over the Rams.
The 2025 fourth-round pick got the first carry of the afternoon for the Browns, and Sampson split the backfield workload with Jerome Ford over the first two drives before exiting the game. That figures to be the arrangement to begin the regular season, but how snaps are actually divided between the two, and in what situations, remains to be seen. Quinshon Judkins, a second-round pick in 2025 who has yet to sign a contract with Cleveland due to off-field issues, remains a wild card but could be added to the backfield later in the year.
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Browns' Dylan Sampson: Working with starters
Rotowire
Sampson was the first running back through the rotation both Wednesday and Thursday during joint practices with the Eagles, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.
Sampson started Cleveland's preseason opener and took two carries for six yards, although it didn't mean much with most of the key veterans -- including RB Jerome Ford -- being held out. The first-team reps in practice are a better sign, especially with no report of Ford being injured, potentially hinting at a rotation between the two RBs early in the season. Fellow rookie running back Quinshon Judkins remains unsigned -- and uncertain to play this season -- after a July arrest for domestic violence charges.
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Browns' Dylan Sampson: Getting reps in receiving game
Rotowire
Browns running backs coach Duce Staley said at mandatory minicamp in mid-June that Sampson has gotten work "as a running back and a receiver," Dan Labbe of cleveland.com reports.
Staley also said that Sampson has worked with wide receivers coach Chad O'Shea, and that the rookie fourth-round pick "is able to go play in the slot and also he's able to go and play on third down and maybe sprinkle in a little second down." The running backs coach also noted that fellow rookie RB Quinshon Judkins, whom the Browns drafted two rounds ahead of Sampson, will be "able to do a little something [...] at receiver, too." Meanwhile, incumbent Jerome Ford has already demonstrated tangible pass-catching chops, and Staley praised his "speed" and ability to "pick up the blitz and catch the ball." While all three of Cleveland's top running backs could see tangible usage in the passing game, Labbe hypothesizes that as things currently stand Judkins and Sampson project to lead the Browns' revamped backfield, with Ford serving as the No. 3 back. Sampson didn't catch many passes in college at Tennessee, including as the team's starter in 2024, so it would come as a surprise if he in fact beats out Ford for passing-down reps at training camp, but if the rookie fourth-rounder can manage that feat he'll have a clear path to fantasy relevance in Year 1, especially in PPR formats.
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Browns' Dylan Sampson: Another back drafted by Cleveland
Rotowire
The Browns selected Sampson in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, 126th overall.
The Browns had a significant hole at running back entering the draft, and they've invested accordingly. Sampson will join Quinshon Judkins -- selected in the second round -- as rookies on the running back depth chart. The former showcased mediocre athletic ability at the combine, but Sampson was an excellent contributor at Tennessee by tallying 1,491 rushing yards and 22 total touchdowns across 13 games in 2024 while facing stiff SEC competition. Both scouting reports and draft capital suggest Sampson will start behind Judkins on the depth chart, but Sampson should have the chance to find the field in his rookie season.
