Browns may not know QB starter, but No. 1 RB job is becoming clear originally appeared on The Sporting News
It may be a couple weeks until the Cleveland Browns make anything official about their starting quarterback job.
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But at running back, actions are speaking louder than words.
The Browns are holding joint practices this week with the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski approaches joint practices as the most important part of the week, more so than the preseason game on the weekend. And so the decisions he makes in joint practices can be very informative.
In this case, the first running back on the field both days vs. the Eagles was Dylan Sampson.
The rookie out of Tennessee looks primed to hold down RB1 duties for the Browns if nothing changes.
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Ohio State rookie Quinshon Judkins may have been the favorite, but he hasn’t even signed yet as he deals with legal troubles.
The Browns also brought back Jerome Ford, but only after getting him to take a paycut, suggesting he’s not the obvious choice to lead the backfield.
That leaves Sampson, who was the SEC Offensive Player of the Year in 2024 while averaging 123.8 rushing yards per game for the Volunteers.
It certainly won’t be only Sampson. Ford will have a role, especially as a pass catcher.
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But it makes sense for Cleveland to start looking toward the future all over the field in what very likely will be a rebuilding year.
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If the Browns can determine Sampson is a keeper at RB, it helps set up priorities better for next offseason.
And given how good Sampson did in the SEC, he’s certainly got a chance to make an impact at the NFL level in Cleveland.
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