New Ground Game: Can Judkins Fill the Chubb Void?

The Browns are betting big on youth in their backfield, with rookie Quinshon Judkins leading a new-look running back room after Nick Chubb's exit to Houston.

The Browns drafted running back Judkins from Ohio State with the 36th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, making him their highest-selected running back since 2007. Assistant GM and VP of Player Personnel Glenn Cook said, "He brings the brand of football that we want, AFC North 'back', exceptionally strong, physical, tough, productive three-down" player.

Cleveland also selected Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson (fourth round) and re-signed Jerome Ford to form the core of their 2025 backfield. Pierre Strong remains on the roster, though from a financial standpoint, releasing Strong would free up $1.1 million in cap space.

The backfield overhaul follows Nick Chubb's departure to the Houston Texans, where he signed a one-year deal worth $2.5 million with incentives that could bring the total to $5 million. The four-time Pro Bowl running back concluded his seven-year Cleveland tenure with 1,340 carries for 6,843 rushing yards and 51 touchdowns, plus 128 receptions for 1,042 yards and five touchdowns.

Ford stepped into a larger role following Chubb's Week 2 injury in 2023 and established himself as a reliable option, finishing the 2024 season with 1,132 total yards and nine total touchdowns.

Running backs coach Duce Staley, hired in January 2024, has established his coaching philosophy with the group. "Here's what coaching is to me, okay, here's one – putting these guys in the best position possible to make plays, number one. Two, getting them to run through" defenders, Staley explained.

Staley's demanding approach has been evident in his work with the current group. Jerome Ford noted that "Duce pushes me pretty hard, pushes all of us pretty hard" and that the running backs are "probably the most tired group out of individual than everybody else."

The Browns' approach centers on developing multiple contributors rather than relying on a single workhorse, with Staley's demanding coaching style aimed at maximizing each player's potential in Cleveland's restructured offensive system. With Chubb now in Houston, the team must build its rushing attack around the combination of Judkins' power, Ford's experience, and Sampson's complementary skills.