Despite a Week 8 loss to the Steelers, the Cleveland Browns have gotten off to a strong 5-3 start, with the offense improving under new coach Todd Monken and resurgent QB Deshaun Watson. They have had to navigate multiple injuries in the backfield, but seem to have settled into a solid rotation over the last two weeks, with Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson both involved. Given his role, should Sampson be a priority waiver-wire add heading into fantasy football Week 9?
Let’s look at the latest in the Browns’ backfield situation, then we’ll look more closely at Sampson’s fantasy potential for the rest of the season.
Dylan Sampson’s meaningful role
The Browns drafted Sampson in the fourth round out of Tennessee in the 2025 NFL Draft. He played in 15 games as a rookie, totaling 65 carries for 175 rushing yards and 33 catches for 271 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns. He was expected to be the team’s primary receiving back coming into the season, but he suffered a knee injury in Week 1, which landed him on IR for the next several games.
Sampson was activated before the team’s Week 7 game against the Titans, and he and Judkins both returned from injury in that contest. Judkins played 53% of snaps in the win over Tennessee, while Sampson played 46%. Judkins had two touchdowns and 23.4 FPTS, while Sampson had 45 rushing yards on six carries and added three catches on three targets for 32 more yards, finishing with 10.7 FPTS.
In Week 8, when the Browns were playing from behind most of the game against the Steelers, Sampson played 56% of snaps while Judkins played 39%. Judkins still had more carries (11), but Sampson had a busy fantasy day, catching six of his eight targets for 62 yards — finishing with 12.9 FPTS.
While Judkins still gets most of the rushing chances and features on early downs, Sampson seems to have secured pass-catching responsibilities. That role makes him a fringe FLEX play in many weeks in PPR leagues.
Dylan Sampson fantasy football outlook
Sampson has flashed big-play ability and could go off as a receiver. He doesn’t typically catch the ball deep downfield, but he can create big plays if he gets space on the outside.
Sampson’s PPR role has been significant since his return, with nine catches on 11 targets for 94 receiving yards while adding seven carries for 52 yards. The Browns clearly aren’t afraid to increase Sampson’s workload in pass-heavy situations. If they’re playing from behind in the coming weeks, Sampson could keep getting enough targets to be a viable RB3 or FLEX play.
Next week, the Browns face the Saints in a great matchup against the team that has allowed the most FPTS per game in the NFL to opposing running backs. They face the Texans in Week 10 before their Week 11 bye, then face the Raiders, Bengals, Falcons and Giants. While it’s hard to know exactly how competitive those matchups will be so far in advance, Sampson has shown enough upside to be rostered in all formats as running back depth.
Even if Judkins goes down with an injury, Sampson may not be a true workhorse back. That said, his role as a pass-catcher still makes him fantasy-relevant in PPR leagues.
The Bottom Line: Dylan Sampson is a Strong PPR pickup
The Browns’ backfield rotation is definitely worth monitoring in all formats, especially with their favorable upcoming schedule. In PPR leagues, Sampson is worth stashing as a potential FLEX option. He may not be a locked-in weekly starter in standard-sized leagues, but he can provide valuable bye-week coverage and reliable depth based on his receiving potential.
