Transitions are hard. The Cleveland Browns are starting a pretty significant transition in hopes of getting back to more successful times. The team decided to draft two new quarterbacks and running backs in this year’s annual event. It was the first time in the modern era of the NFL that a team drafted so many quarterbacks and running backs in the first five rounds.
There’s been plenty of conversation about the two new Cleveland quarterbacks in Dillon Gabrial and Shedeur Sanders and we’ll continue to debate their strengths and weaknesses as we head to Week 1.
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However, the other story is about the two new running backs drafted by the Browns. Quinshon Judkins, from Ohio State, was drafted early in the second round at pick No. 36. Dylan Sampson, from Tennessee, who’s only 20 years old, was drafted in the fourth round.
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This could very well be the changing of the guard and the next one-two punch for a revamped Browns running game.
Many long-time Cleveland fans have struggled with the idea that seven-year veteran Nick Chubb, who’s still out there as a free agent, likely won’t return to the team in which he was the heartbeat.
Despite this difficult transition for the team and its fans, the next possibilities, especially with the run game, can give everyone renewed hope that victories will come sooner rather than later.
Judkins will be the grinder and pound the ball up the gut of opposing defenses. He spent his first two college seasons at Ole Miss, where he rumbled for 2,725 yards and 31 touchdowns. He also caught 37 passes for 281 yards and three more touchdowns.
Then last season, he joined the Ohio State backfield alongside TreVeyon Henderson (who was drafted by the New England Patriots) and ran for 1,060 and 14 touchdowns.
Sampson will likely be more of a speedster and slasher for the Browns. He raced to 1,491 and 22 touchdowns for the Volunteers last season. He had 10 100-yard rushing games last season. In the conference final game against Vanderbilt, he went for 178 yards on 25 carries, so he can be the workhorse of the team as well if called upon.
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Cleveland had a great run with Chubb and Kareem Hunt over the past several seasons. But Hunt went back to play for the Kansas City Chiefs, and Chubb is still waiting in the wings as a free agent.
Judkins and Sampson could very well be that next tandem that fans are talking about over the next decade, and that’s a good step in the right direction for the Browns.
Transitions are hard, and this one is no different, but there is light at the end of the tunnel for a Cleveland team that has had its share of issues over recent decades.
The stories that are coming from the Browns organization are changing as we speak. The youth movement at key positions on the team, like at the quarterback and running back positions, can only be a positive after so much turmoil on the team in recent years (see Deshaun Watson).
As Browns fans take the time to hear these “new kids” talk about football, their teammates, and competing. It’s refreshing! Go Browns!
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