Dylan

Sampson

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Teller was questionable entering the weekend but has been ruled out. Backup Teven Jenkins will start in his place. In addition to Teller, the Browns have also ruled out CB Denzel Ward, RB Dylan Sampson, DT Mike Hall Jr., WR Jamari Thrash, TE David Njoku, and DT Sam Kamara.

He did not practice all week and would seem to be at some risk of not suiting up in Week 17 as well. Trayveon Williams played 19 snaps as Quinshon Judkins’ backup in Week 15 and would seem likely to see around the same against Buffalo. Judkins will be the only back on Cleveland’s roster worth playing for fantasy purposes.

Sampson played through the calf injury in Week 14. Perhaps that was a mistake. The Browns’ rookie running back has neither practiced nor played since then. He is firmly on the wrong side of questionable for Week 16, likely leaving Quinshon Judkins and Trayveon Williams as the Browns’ top-two running backs.

Sampson missed Week 15 with the calf issue. Trayveon Williams played the role of RB2 versus Chicago. He touched the ball three times and generated seven yards. Sampson’s likely absence for Week 16 will simply mean more receiving opportunities for Quinshon Judkins.

No surprises on the Browns inactives as Dylan Sampson was ruled out earlier in the week. His absence is a boost for Quinshon Judkins, who should see more receiving work with Sampson sidelined. LG Joel Bitonio (knee, back), WR Cedric Tillman (concussion, rib), DT Mason Graham (rib), and WR Malachi Corley (concussion) are active after being listed as questionable.