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    Staley: ‘I think Judkins can play all three downs’

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    CLE Running Back #10
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    Browns RB coach Duce Staley said he thinks Quinshon Judkins “can play all three downs” this season.

    Judkins earning a three-down role would be a massive development for the second-year back. Last season, Judkins appeared on only 35 third downs last season for the Browns, which ranked third-most on the team behind Jerome Ford (113) and Dylan Sampson (44). With Ford now in Washington, Judkins and Sampson should push for plenty of opportunities on third down this season, but any additional work for Judkins would add to what is already a strong fantasy profile. Despite not being known for his abilities as a pass-catcher, Judkins still managed to finish second on the team in routes (162) last season and put together a respectable 26-171-0 receiving line on 36 targets. He’s currently boasting an early fifth-round ADP, but Judkins could have a chance to easily exceed his draft slot if his third-down usage is ramped up under Todd Monken.
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  • CLE Running Back #10
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    This is tremendous news for Judkins, who was last seen getting carted off the field after suffering a gruesome injury in Week 16. The second-year back is expected to lead the Browns’ backfield in carries after rushing for 230-837-7 in 14 games last season while adding another 26-171-0 through the air on 36 targets. His volume-heavy role makes him a safe candidate for a high-end RB2 in fantasy this season with a chance to drastically exceed those expectations if the Browns’ offense can improve on last year’s 31st ranked finish in their first year under head coach Todd Monken.
  • CLE Running Back #10
    Judkins, entering his second NFL season, was an honorable mention in Jeremy Fowler’s list of top running backs headed into the 2026 season. “Runs incredibly hard, faster in the open field than you’d think,” the executive told Fowler. “I think he’s going to have a big year.” Coming off a major leg/ankle injury that ended his rookie campaign, Judkins participated in offseason practices and has a real chance to suit up for Week 1, barring injury setbacks in training camp and the preseason. Judkins had 827 rushing yards and seven touchdowns in 2025, adding 26 grabs for 171 yards. He was targeted on a strong 23 percent of his pass routes last season. Assuming health, Judkins could be an underrated option behind an improved Cleveland offensive line.
  • CLE Running Back #10
    In a video from Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot, Judkins appears to be moving quite well for a player recovering from a fractured fibula and a broken ankle. He suffered the injuries in Week 16 of his rookie season and was expected to miss 4-5 months. A mid-May return puts him on the early end of that timeline. Barring a surprise, Judkins should be full-go for the start of training camp. He was on pace for over 1,000 yards from scrimmage before missing the final two games of 2025. Fantasy managers can treat him as a volume-based RB2 in early drafts.
  • CLE Running Back #10
    Berry maintained that Judkins should be able to fully participate in training camp, which typically starts in late July. We had not yet heard whether he would participate in organized team activities (OTAs) and/or mandatory minicamp, but given Berry’s comments, we could see him doing drills with teammates in May. At worst, it sounds like Judkins should retake the field with his teammates for workouts in June.
  • CLE Running Back #10
    It’s expected news, but good to hear it from a team source. Judkins was expected to miss about 4-5 months after fracturing his fibula and dislocating his ankle in late December. It’s possible that Judkins could show up for some later parts of minicamp/OTAs based on that schedule, but even if he doesn’t, he should be ready to be Cleveland’s bellcow back in 2026.
  • CLE Running Back #22
    Sampson led the Browns in carries but still ceded six attempts to his backups and another five to Cleveland’s wide receivers. Sampson was ultimately doomed to committee duties the moment he was drafted by the Browns in the fourth round. The team had already taken Quinshon Judkins two rounds earlier and Jerome Ford was in the mix as a competent backup. Even when he got the opportunity for more work, Sampson wasn’t particularly impressive. The rookie averaged a dismal 2.7 yards per carry en route to just 175 rushing yards. Sampson wasn’t the only back to struggle in the Browns’ horrendous offensive environment, but he did play notably worse than his backfield compatriots. Browns fans and dynasty managers will hope that Sampson can take over as the team’s top option on passing downs next year. He caught 33 passes for 271 yards and two scores this year while averaging a stellar 1.9 yards per route run. With Ford headed into free agency during the offseason, his role should be Sampson’s for the taking.
  • CLE Running Back #22
    Sampson was the third running back on the field to start the game for the Browns, as Raheim Sanders and Trayveon Williams both saw snaps before the fourth-round rookie. Sampson’s 11 carries wound up leading the team, but his 27 yards weren’t what fantasy managers were hoping for. He had a 25-yard run negated by a holding penalty, but this was a disappointing day for Sampson, who had a chance to step in as the lead back. Sampson will likely find himself in a committee again when the Browns face the Bengals next week.
  • CLE Running Back #22
    With Sampson officially active, the rookie fourth-rounder has a chance to lead the Browns’ backfield with Quinshon Judkins (leg/ankle) sidelined. When Judkins was inactive for Week 1, Sampson stepped up to lead the Browns’ backfield with 20 total opportunities, and caught 8-of-8 targets for 64 yards. Playing in a rain-soaked Cleveland, Sampson should be a safe bet for double-digit touches and plenty of check downs from Shedeur Sanders, who has made a living off targeting his running backs this season. While Sampson is active, the Browns did declare QB Dillon Gabriel, CB Myles Harden, OL Kendrick Green, OT Jeremiah Byers, WR Jamari Thrash, TE David Njoku, and DT Sam Kamara inactive for Week 17.
  • CLE Running Back #22
    We still don’t know the specifics of Sampson’s hand injury that sidelined him for Weeks 15 and 16, but the rookie running back practiced every day this week and has a good chance of seeing a lead role for the Browns if he’s active. Sampson served as the Browns’ RB1 all the way back in Week 1, and wound up catching eight passes for 64 yards while adding another 12-29-0 on the ground. Sampson would have some appeal as an RB3/FLEX option if he’s available for this week’s fantasy championships. If Sampson is able to go, Raheim Sanders and Trayveon Williams would likely split backfield duties.
  • CLE Running Back #22
    Sampson should be rostered wherever he is available. With RB Quinshon Judkins joining RB Jerome Ford (hamstring) on injured reserve after fracturing his fibula and dislocating his ankle, Sampson could operate as the Browns’ featured running back, if healthy, in Week 17. Among NFL RBs with 25-plus targets, Sampson (2.07) is the only player to average 2.00 yards per route run or more. He forces missed tackles as a rusher, 0.18 per attempt, at the same rate as Judkins, albeit via a much smaller sample. Sampson’s only competition for backfield touches is UDFA rookie RB Raheim Sanders.

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  • NE Running Back #34
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    Patriots team reporter Evan Lazar reports that RB Lan Larison “appears to be an early leader” for the RB3 role.

    Larison, 24, was a 2025 undrafted free agent. He is apparently competing for a role as a kick returner as well as the backup rushing role. He will need to contribute on special teams if he is going to make the final roster. Lazar notes that rookie RBs Jam Miller and Myles Montgomery “have flashed explosiveness and lateral quickness,” and he thinks one or both could make a “push” after showing off burst in the outside zone scheme that the Patriots have been working on.
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    Patriots TE Eli Raridon is “playing faster than he did in the spring and is getting first dibs on reps with TE Hunter Henry in two tight end sets.”

    The report comes from team reporter Evan Lazar and is great to hear. Henry, 31, is entering the final year of his contract. The front office spent a third-round pick on Raridon, ostensibly hoping he would convince them that he can be the TE1 after this season. In many instances, that means late-season utilization. The fact that he is already competing for the TE2 role, and doing so impressively, can only be viewed as a positive. Per Lazar, Raridon “caught the eye on multiple occasions working in the passing game.” He showcased the requisite speed to get behind the second level, and his “ability to catch the ball in traffic” stands out. Raridon can be treated as a best ball TE3 at this time.
  • NO OFFENSIVE GUARD (SUB) #71
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    Andrus Peat retired after 11 seasons in the NFL.

    Peat spent the first nine seasons of his career with the Saints, who drafted him in the 2015 NFL Draft’s first round with the No. 13 overall pick. He made three Pro Bowls (2018-20) while in New Orleans. He spent one season apiece with the Raiders and Steelers to close his career.
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    Speaking on The Pat McAfee Show, ESPN’s Adam Schefter said the team “isn’t happy about the way (Baker Mayfield) spoke about the organization.”

    This is presumably in reference to the comments Mayfield made publicly on Thursday, when he said he felt “disrespected a little bit” about the fact that the two sides had not agreed to a contract extension earlier this offseason. Mayfield officially tabled negotiations with the team at the start of training camp and appears set to play out 2026 on the final year of a three-year, $100 million contract he signed with the team in 2024. Mayfield, who also said he felt “undervalued” by the team, is coming off a down season in which he threw for 3,693 yards, 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, but he also played through injuries and was without his top weapon, Mike Evans, for much of the season. Another strong season like we saw from Mayfield in 2024 (4,500-41-16) will be guaranteed to drive up his asking price next offseason.
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    Tua Tagovailoa said “I feel great right now” despite a back injury sidelining him for the beginning of training camp.

    Friday marked the first time Tagovailoa has had a chance to speak publicly with the media since training camp began. He hasn’t had a chance to practice in full with the team since camp opened, and said he isn’t sure when he will be a full participant, but also added that if this were a game week, he would likely be able to play. Tagovailoa has been sidelined since the start of camp with what has been reported as a “tight back” that flared up last week. It’s an issue he has never had to deal with before, per Tagovailoa, who said he believes the decision to sideline him early on is “just a precaution thing.” Tagovailoa’s quotes on Friday sound like those of a player who should be on the field sooner rather than later, but we’ll continue to provide updates on this situation until he is back in full capacity.
  • CLE Running Back #10
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    Browns RB coach Duce Staley said he thinks Quinshon Judkins “can play all three downs” this season.

    Judkins earning a three-down role would be a massive development for the second-year back. Last season, Judkins appeared on only 35 third downs last season for the Browns, which ranked third-most on the team behind Jerome Ford (113) and Dylan Sampson (44). With Ford now in Washington, Judkins and Sampson should push for plenty of opportunities on third down this season, but any additional work for Judkins would add to what is already a strong fantasy profile. Despite not being known for his abilities as a pass-catcher, Judkins still managed to finish second on the team in routes (162) last season and put together a respectable 26-171-0 receiving line on 36 targets. He’s currently boasting an early fifth-round ADP, but Judkins could have a chance to easily exceed his draft slot if his third-down usage is ramped up under Todd Monken.
  • DAL Running Back #23
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    Cowboys HC Brian Schottenheimer said the team wants Jaydon Blue to be more involved in the passing game.

    This news comes from Cowboys beat writer Clarence Hill Jr., who also noted that Blue “got a lot of work with the first team” during Thursday’s practice. Blue is entering his second season with the Cowboys and has reportedly turned in a strong first two days of camp, ripping off one big run after another while mixing in with the starters. He appeared in just five games last season, rushing for 38-129-1 while also catching one pass, but this isn’t the first time Blue’s pass-catching abilities have been highlighted during the offseason. Earlier this month, The Athletic’s Jon Machota said Blue was “the ideal fit” to complement Javonte Williams, specifically because of his ability to catch passes out of the backfield. We’re still in the very early days of camp, but Blue could make for an interesting late-round stash in PPR leagues this season and may even have some standalone value in deeper leagues if he can earn a reliable role in what’s expected to be a pass-heavy offense.
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    Packers activated TE Tucker Kraft (knee) from the active/PUP list.

    This is tremendous news for Kraft, who said earlier in the week that he expected to be activated “very soon.” Head coach Matt LaFleur said Kraft will practice on Friday but also added that he will not participate in 11-on-11s for the time being. Regardless of his participation, Kraft being back in any capacity is a great sign for his availability entering the season, and we would expect him to be a full participant in practice sooner rather than later. The fourth-year tight end caught 32 passes for 489 yards and six touchdowns over eight games last season before a torn ACL ended his breakout campaign, but he should be in line for a big 2026 if he can return to the player we saw before his injury.
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    Falcons beat writer Marc Raimondi reports Tua Tagovailoa (back) “did a walkthrough period at about half speed this morning.”

    Tagovailoa has now been on the field in some capacity in back-to-back days, but he’s still not participating in team drills. Tagovailoa was sidelined to start practice this week due to a “tight back,” but the team hasn’t suggested this is anything to be concerned about. Hopefully these last two days are signs that Tagovailoa is trending toward a return in the near future. Until then, rookie UDFA Jack Strand will continue to work with the first-team offense.
  • BAL Defensive Lineman #96
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    Ravens restructured DL Broderick Washington’s contract.

    According to Spotrac, the Ravens and Washington agreed to a fully guaranteed, one-year, $2 million contract, freeing up $2 million in cap space for the Ravens this season. Washington suffered a torn Achilles last season but avoided the PUP list to begin training camp. The sixth-year vet has proven to be a reliable rotational piece for the Ravens since being drafted in 2020, but faces stiff competition for playing time with Nnamdi Madubuike and Calais Campbell back in the mix for this season.