Running Back RouletteGet alerts

2026 NFL backfield

Cleveland Browns running backs

The current roster, the published replacement plan and the production behind each player’s role.

The published backfield plan

Published starter

Quinshon Judkins

Preferred handcuff

Dylan Sampson

Sampson is the listed RB2 behind Judkins.

Committee uncertainty: an absence could spread work across several backs.

View Quinshon Judkins’s handcuff breakdown

Week 1 analysis published .

How the work could change

Cleveland’s official Sept. 8 Week 1 depth chart lists Quinshon Judkins first, Dylan Sampson second and Raheim Sanders third. Sampson is the straightforward replacement projection.

Cleveland’s official Sept. 8 Week 1 depth chart lists Quinshon Judkins first, Dylan Sampson second and Raheim Sanders third. Sampson is the straightforward replacement projection.

  • availability_unverified
  • stale_availability
  • committee risk

The full backfield depth chart

Every running back and fullback assigned to Cleveland Browns, including reserve and practice-squad entries. Chart order and replacement opportunity answer different questions: a passing-down specialist can sit ahead of the back most likely to inherit the carries.

Source: nflverse depth-chart feed · Feed dated Thu, Sep 10, 8:01 AM EDT. Equal ranks are ties. Unlisted backs are not assigned an invented rank. FB ranks are separate from RB ranks.

Cleveland Browns full running back depth chart
Feed orderPlayerScouting roleDraft investmentRoster status
RB1
Quinshon JudkinsPublished starter		Three-down back2025 · Round 2 · Pick 36active
RB2
Dylan SampsonPublished handcuff		Receiving back2025 · Round 4 · Pick 126active
RB3
Raheim Sanders		Early-down runnerDraft history unavailableactive
FB1
Michael Burton		Fullback2015 · Round 5 · Pick 168active
Unlisted
Jaleel McLaughlin		Role under reviewUndraftedpractice squad

Every back: role, upside and obstacles

The player assessments below explain the skills that could earn work and the assignments that might go to someone else. Role labels describe scouting assessments; they are not confirmed snap shares. “Three-down” means a skill set for rushing and passing situations, not a guarantee of every down.

RB1 · Three-down back

Quinshon Judkins

Age 22 · 2 years of NFL experience · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Capable in saved assessmentPass protection: Positive assessment
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

Cleveland's lead back and the offense's centerpiece under Todd Monken after leading the team with 827 rush yds and seven TD as a rookie. Full workload profile — runs, catches and protects — with the surgically repaired ankle the only concern.

Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.

Path to more work

He is the starter in the dated board above. For fantasy purposes, the question is how much of the rushing and passing work he keeps when the whole room is available.

Why the work could go elsewhere

A starter can still lose third downs, short-yardage work or change-of-pace touches to specialists. His role assessment describes the skill set, not a guarantee that every assignment stays with him.

The saved assessment credits his pass protection, which can help a back earn passing-down trust. It does not guarantee a three-down assignment.

Draft investment

2025 · Round 2 · Pick 36

Drafted by CLE; not necessarily his current team.

Early-round investment is part of his prospect pedigree and may support a chance to develop. It does not guarantee the next workload, especially after a team change.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2025, his 14 recorded games include 230 carries and 26 receptions on 36 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

RB2 · Receiving back

Dylan Sampson

Age 21 · 2 years of NFL experience · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Capable in saved assessmentPass protection: Not established
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

Explosive, pass-catching second-year back (175 rush, 271 rec yds as a rookie) and the clear handcuff in Cleveland — analysts point to him specifically as the man who inherits the job if Judkins' ankle flares up. Would need to prove he can hold up on early-down volume.

Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.

Path to more work

The dated board selects him as the preferred replacement behind Quinshon Judkins. That is a projection of the replacement role, not a promise that he gets every touch.

Ahead on the feed’s RB chart: Quinshon Judkins. Their roles and availability shape how much work could open up.

Why the work could go elsewhere

A receiving specialist can retain passing-down work without becoming the lead runner. A bigger rushing role could go to a different teammate even if this player appears higher on the chart.

Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.

Draft investment

2025 · Round 4 · Pick 126

Drafted by CLE; not necessarily his current team.

A later-round selection describes his entry point. It does not rule out a lead role; demonstrated production and a trusted assignment matter more than draft position alone.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2025, his 15 recorded games include 65 carries and 33 receptions on 40 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

RB3 · Early-down runner

Raheim Sanders

Age 24 · 2 years of NFL experience · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Not established
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

Big-bodied third back who would soak up short-yardage carries in a pinch. Behind both Judkins and Sampson with a very small NFL sample; a depth piece rather than a next-man-up candidate.

Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.

Path to more work

His path begins with an opening behind Quinshon Judkins. The dated board currently prefers Dylan Sampson for the lead replacement role. Being next on a depth chart would not by itself guarantee the carries, third downs and goal-line work.

Ahead on the feed’s RB chart: Quinshon Judkins, Dylan Sampson. Their roles and availability shape how much work could open up.

Why the work could go elsewhere

An early-down profile offers a path to carries between the tackles. A receiving or protection specialist could still handle third downs, limiting a full-workload takeover.

Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.

Draft investment

Draft history unavailable

A verified draft record is not available here. Missing data does not mean he went undrafted.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2025, his 4 recorded games include 27 carries and 3 receptions on 4 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

FB1 · Fullback

Michael Burton

Age 34 · 11 years of NFL experience · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Positive assessment
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

Veteran lead blocker and special-teams contributor. Takes a handful of goal-line or short-yardage carries at most; irrelevant to the backfield pecking order behind Judkins.

Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.

Path to more work

His path begins with an opening behind Quinshon Judkins. The dated board currently prefers Dylan Sampson for the lead replacement role. Being next on a depth chart would not by itself guarantee the carries, third downs and goal-line work.

Why the work could go elsewhere

A fullback’s place on the chart represents a different assignment from the running-back queue. Blocking or situational touches do not make him the next lead runner when an RB is absent.

The saved assessment credits his pass protection, which can help a back earn passing-down trust. It does not guarantee a three-down assignment.

Draft investment

2015 · Round 5 · Pick 168

Drafted by DET; not necessarily his current team.

A later-round selection describes his entry point. It does not rule out a lead role; demonstrated production and a trusted assignment matter more than draft position alone.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

No recorded NFL regular-season production is available in the two seasons shown. That is an evidence gap, not a zero or a judgment of his ability.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

Unlisted · Role under review

Jaleel McLaughlin

Age 25 · 4 years of NFL experience · practice squad

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Not established

Jaleel McLaughlin is a four-year veteran listed by CLE at RB, from Youngstown State. The official roster lists him at 5-7 and 187 pounds.

Research checked Fri, Sep 11, 12:01 PM EDT. Undated biographies support background facts, not a current workload promise.

Path to more work

A practice-squad place keeps him available for development and possible elevation. Any offensive work would depend on an active-roster opening and a team decision to use him in the backfield.

Why the work could go elsewhere

The official roster verifies his current reserve placement and basic background but does not establish backfield rank, pass protection, a three-down role or a projected touch share.

Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.

Draft investment

Undrafted

He entered without draft investment. That says how he arrived, not what he can become; current usage and coaching trust carry more weight now.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

No recorded NFL regular-season production is available in the two seasons shown. That is an evidence gap, not a zero or a judgment of his ability.

His roster feed status is practice squad. He needs the relevant roster or availability change before this becomes an immediate pickup opportunity.

Player research sources

The production behind the names

2025 regular season. Recorded production, not a projection. A missing stat line is not a zero.

Player comparison for the 2025 regular season
PlayerGames with statsCarriesReceptionsTotal yardsPPR / game
Quinshon Judkins
142302699812.1
Dylan Sampson
1565334465.8
Jaleel McLaughlin
—————
Michael Burton
—————
Raheim Sanders
42731135.1
Quinshon Judkins: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 6 recorded games in 2025

Wk 1117 touches
Wk 1216 touches
Wk 1326 touches
Wk 1415 touches
Wk 1515 touches
Wk 1613 touches
Dylan Sampson: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 6 recorded games in 2025

Wk 111 touches
Wk 129 touches
Wk 134 touches
Wk 147 touches
Wk 1714 touches
Wk 1812 touches
Raheim Sanders: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 4 recorded games in 2025

Wk 13 touches
Wk 1612 touches
Wk 179 touches
Wk 186 touches

Totals include all teams played for that season. Per-game averages use games with recorded stats. Source: nflverse player statistics.

Evidence behind the backfield analysis

Compare your next bench move

A handcuff is an opportunity to hold, not a projected starter for this week. Compare the room with other teams, then choose a game window that fits your league’s rules.

All team backfieldsHandcuff rankingsSunday night stashesMonday night stashesScoring methodology