Browns Should Trade $4 Million Starter, Elevate Breakout Rookie
The Cleveland Browns offense did not look as bad as some might have expected in Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals, but there are still obvious upgrades the team can make heading into the second game of the year against the Baltimore Ravens.
Cleveland entered its home opener without second-round running back Quinshon Judkins, who was the last rookie in the NFL to ink a deal following off-field legal issues over the summer. Judkins signed with the Browns on Saturday, September 6, just 24 hours before they hosted the Bengals.
As a result, fourth-round rookie Dylan Sampson stepped into a prominent role alongside RB1 Jerome Ford and outplayed the fourth-year pro by a considerable margin. No one on Cleveland’s offense ran the ball effectively, though Sampson doubled up Ford’s carry count with 12 attempts for 29 yards. Ford rushed six times for just eight yards, and the offense hauled the rock on 24 occasions for only 49 total yards.
However, Sampson flashed as a pass-catcher out of the backfield with eight catches, which led the team, for 64 receiving yards (second on the offense to only 66 yards from No. 1 wide receiver Jerry Jeudy). Cleveland released its unofficial Week 2 depth chart on Tuesday, September 9, and Ford remained in the RB1 position, while Sampson was RB2.
Although it has only been one week and the status of Judkins for Week 2 — the top candidate to replace Nick Chubb and supplant Ford as the No. 1 back in the offense — remains uncertain, the time has come for the Browns to elevate Sampson into the top role and push Ford back to either RB2 or RB3, depending on Judkins’ availability for next Sunday’s game in Baltimore.
Jerome Ford Trade Option With Quinshon Judkins’ Debut Looming
Cleveland selected Ford out of Cincinnati in the fifth round of the 2022 draft, inking him to a four-year deal worth $4 million. The team restructured Ford’s contract to pay him $1.75 million in 2025, and he will become an unrestricted free agent next March at the age of 26.
The Browns already released one running back Tuesday ahead of Judkins’ return to practice, and it could make sense to shop Ford relatively soon considering how the depth chart in Cleveland’s offensive backfield might shake out in the coming days and weeks.
#Browns sign DT Ralph Holley to the practice squad and release RB Trayveon Williams. RB Quinshon Judkins expected to practice for the first time on Wednesday.
— Fred Greetham (@FredGreetham9) September 9, 2025
“#Browns sign DT Ralph Holley to the practice squad and release RB Trayveon Williams,” Fred Greetham of The Orange and Browns Report wrote on X. “RB Quinshon Judkins expected to practice for the first time on Wednesday.”
Browns’ Trio of Rookie Running Backs Has Rendered Jerome Ford Expendable
Judkins could still face a suspension from the league, as he will meet with the NFL to discuss his legal situation this week. Police in Florida charged the 21-year-old running back with misdemeanor domestic violence in July, though the courts dismissed the charge in August.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that Judkins could be on the field as early as Week 2 against the Ravens, although there remains a lack of clarity over his immediate availability.
Browns rookie RB Quinshon Judkins is scheduled to meet with the NFL this week about its investigation, but there is a real possibility, and even likelihood according to one source, that he will make his NFL debut next Sunday at Baltimore.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 7, 2025
“Browns rookie RB Quinshon Judkins is scheduled to meet with the NFL this week about its investigation, but there is a real possibility, and even likelihood according to one source, that he will make his NFL debut next Sunday at Baltimore,” Schefter posted to X.
If he plays Sunday, Judkins probably will not immediately leapfrog into the No. 1 role, though that is a possibility. It would make sense, though, that he and Sampson would get the lion’s share of the work given their ages and draft positions, and what all of that says about how the Browns view Ford’s future in Cleveland.
Furthermore, undrafted rookie Raheim Sanders earned three carries against the Bengals and scored the team’s only rushing touchdown. He remains on the roster and can clearly fill in as a less expensive RB3 than Ford for the remainder of the year.
Those circumstances should render Ford expendable soon, if not immediately. It is unclear what kind of trade value he might have, but the Browns could at least shop him around the league in the coming weeks before either demoting him to RB3 or simply releasing him if Sanders proves out.
Cornelius Johnson Pledges Loyalty to Ravens After Signing New Contract
In a move that’s sure to excite Baltimore Ravens fans, Cornelius Johnson has signed a new contract with the team—and he’s already making his intentions clear. After joining the Ravens, the wide receiver declared his unwavering loyalty to the organization, promising to give his all as he works to earn his place in Baltimore’s high-powered offense.
“I’m committed to this team, and I’m here to do whatever it takes to help us win,” Johnson said after putting pen to paper. “The Ravens have given me an incredible opportunity, and I’m going to give everything I have to make sure we succeed. This is where I want to be.”
Johnson, who previously impressed scouts with his athleticism and sharp route-running, brings a new dynamic to the Ravens' receiving corps. With the team already looking to revamp its passing game, Johnson’s addition is seen as a strategic move to bolster their offensive firepower.
The signing comes just days after the Ravens made the decision to cut outside linebacker Malik Hamm, a move that’s sparked its own share of speculation. However, Johnson’s loyalty and determination to contribute to Baltimore’s success have taken center stage.
As the Ravens prepare for the upcoming season, Johnson’s pledge to the team is a reminder of how important it is to find players who are dedicated to the cause—and with his commitment now on the table, fans are eager to see what he’ll bring to the field in Baltimore.
