CBS Sports ******* yst Garrett Podell put together his bold predictions for Week 1 of the 2026 season, one of which centers around the Jacksonville Jaguars' run defense -- and not in a positive way.
Podell made four bold Week 1 predictions, one of which is that Cleveland Browns' running back Quinshon Judkins rushes for over 75 yards against the Jaguars' defense.
"Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins ran for 827 yards as a rookie in 2025 despite the corpse of Joe Flacco, third-round rookie Dillon Gabriel and fifth-round rookie Shedeur Sanders all starting at quarterback last season," wrote Podell. "He's used to facing loaded boxes and opponents going all out to take away his production."
Of course, what makes this prediction bold is that the Jaguars boasted the top run defense unit in football last season.
A second offseason in Anthony Campanile's scheme, along with no significant losses this offseason, a few new rookie additions, and second-year players BJ Green and Danny Striggow making potential jumps, are all reasons to believe that this unit can once again be quite good.

#podell #quinshon

For the second year in a row, the Cleveland Browns double-dipped early at a key offensive position in the NFL Draft. In 2025, Cleveland took Quinshon Judkins in round two and took Dylan Sampson in round four. This year, Cleveland took wide receiver KC Concepcion in round one and followed up with Denzel Boston in round two. Similarly to 2025, a 2026 rookie has seemingly locked down a starting role in this offense.
The staff over at ESPN went through and gave the rookie outlook for all 32 NFL teams, and noted that Concepcion is going to be a real weapon for this offense and wants to get him the ball early and often:
Concepcion has been a dynamic addition to the Browns' offense. Coach Todd Monken is using Concepcion in a role similar to the one he created for Zay Flowers in Baltimore, with plenty of motion and a variety of touches. Monken envisions a versatile role for Concepcion as a rookie -- possibly as a punt returner, too. "We've got to find a number of ways to get him the ball with his explosiveness, his quickness, his contact balance," Monken said. "He's going to be a real weapon for us."
Boston also got plenty of praise, with ***** ysts saying his "contested-catch ability and reliable hands" should have him playing the X receiver next to Concepcion. Overall, there is a lot to like about what Cleveland is building on offense.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns rookie WR seems to have locked down a starting role

#Browns #rookie #took

The third preseason game for the Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots did not include a lot of players who will play a lot of snaps in Week 1, but it did include a lot of roster bubble guys. The amazing Browns fans were planning to tune in, with QBs Dillon Gabriel and Taylen Green taking the snaps this week:
The biggest stories coming out of the game will be any injuries and how those bubble players perform with the chances that they are given. Some of the evaluation is tougher given the level of talent on the other side of the field, with the Patriots also not playing their top guys. Take everything within that perspective.
A few takeaways from Thursday Night Football off the shores of Lake Erie:
Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson have locked up the top of the depth chart, but Raheim Sanders still has to secure his spot as the third guy. A few carries in the first few series looked like Sanders, nicknamed "Rocket," is on his way to having that role.
One of Shedeur Sanders' favorite targets, Floriea just keeps making plays, including this touchdown from Gabriel:

#Browns #Patriots #week

BEREA ― Todd Monken is as big a fan as anyone of physical, tough football. That is, until that physicality could impact his team's ability to stay healthy.
Day 15 of Browns training camp appeared to get cut short with about 11 minutes left in what should've been the final practice period. At that point, Monken called the team together and yelled at them about protecting their teammates and practicing smart.
It wasn't just the players, either. Monken's directed some of his ire at defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg and the defensive coaches as well.
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Why the reaction? Well, the last straw was when defensive tackle Adin Huntington blasted running back Quinshon Judkins, which led Huntington to get expelled to the sideline by Monken.

#Browns

As in nearly every season since the Cleveland Browns returned to the NFL in 1999, there are questions about the quarterback position, with a camp battle to start the season between veteran Deshaun Watson and second-year player Shedeur Sanders. So far, it seems like Watson might have a leg up on the competition, but in the end, neither one of these two has looked like a franchise quarterback that can lead this team for years to come.
However, one thing that stuck out during the Browns' loss to the Bears in the preseason opener was the weapons around the position, like first-round pick KC Concepcion, who looked like the dynamic difference-making playmaker he was drafted to be.
ESPN ******* yst Mina Kimes agrees with this, saying that she thinks the Browns are just a quarterback away from winning games. Kimes also highlighted Harold Fannin Jr and Quinshon Judkins, who both showed impressive ability as rookies last year despite the rest of the offense around them being terrible.
More likely than not, this season will be about these young players getting experience and developing as the team prepares to draft their quarterback to be the missing piece in next year's draft, unless the team decides to get aggressive and make a move for a quarterback to take a swing on this year via trade.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: ESPN ******* yst believes Browns are a 'quarterback away' from winning

#Browns #season #year #team

Browns running back Quinshon Judkins' rookie season ended with an ugly injury in December, but it won't affect him in training camp.
Judkins is full-go for camp, seven months after surgery to repair his fractured fibula and dislocated ankle, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.
That's no surprise, as Judkins participated in the offseason program, but clearance for full contact practices was the last step.
The Browns took Judkins in the second round of last year's draft, but he didn't sign his rookie contract until September as he faced a misdemeanor battery charge that was eventually dismissed. After missing Week One, Judkins started Week Two and started every game until his injury ended his season in Week 16.
Judkins finished his rookie season with 230 carries for 827 yards and seven touchdowns, and he projects to be the Browns' top running back this season.

#rookie #back #ended #camp

In many ways, the story around the Cleveland Browns has remained the same heading into the 2026 season: What is the deal at the quarterback position? The offensive line has been upgraded, and the wide receiver room saw an update this offseason, while RB Quinshon Judkins and TE Harold Fannin Jr. are the bedrock of the offense's future.
The defense is looking to replace two key components: DE Myles Garrett and DC Jim Schwartz. Adding DE Jared Verse in the Garrett deal puts a lot of pressure on the young defensive end, while CBs Denzel Ward and Tyson Campbell are locked in as veteran cornerstones of a defense, along with youngsters Carson Schwesinger and Mason Graham.
As the offseason prepares to turn to training camp, ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi has listed Cleveland's three "lingering questions," including the obvious quarterback position. Verse and the Browns pass rush were the second question:
Cleveland, though, believes it is still well-equipped to field an elite defense after getting two-time Pro Bowler Jared Verse in return. Verse isn't in Garrett's caliber as a pass rusher, but he has still been one of the more disruptive edge defenders in his first two seasons.
Whether the team extends safety Grant Delpit and Ward also linger:

Cleveland Browns training camp 2026: RB preview – Judkins starts, but who is after him? (Chris Pokorny) – Looking over the Browns’ running backs for training camp.
Browns roster: RB depth chart and expectations (Jared Mueller) – Who joins Quinshon Judkins on the Cleveland Browns RB depth chart and what are proper expectations for the roster?
Browns roster: TE depth chart and expectations (Jared Mueller) – Harold Fannin had a great rookie season for the Cleveland Browns, but what does the TE depth chart look like for 2026?
Browns CB Denzel Ward ‘doesn’t get the credit he should’ playing in Cleveland (Jared Mueller) – People want to see talented Cleveland Browns players on other teams. This time, CB Denzel Ward, whose ESPN’s ranking fell.
NFL combine, NFL free agency dates now back-to-back on the NFL schedule (Jared Mueller) – The NFL schedule has changed with the Scouting Combine and NFL free agency being scheduled back-to-back

The theme for the last few weeks has been running backs and the rushing attack, it seems. The Cleveland Browns have been known as a strong running team for along time, including having five of the Top 100 backs in NFL history. We’ve encouraged HC Todd Monken to set a goal for the offense with the running game as the priority, but Quinshon Judkins’ return from injury could play a huge role in that.
Judkins is not only the Browns offensive X-factor but can use the 2026 season to prove that he belongs in the Top 10 running back conversation, which could lead to an All-Pro level season.
According to a poll of “league executives, coaches and scouts, ESPN’s annual survey of positional rankings does not have Judkins in the Top 10 coming out of his rookie season. Instead, he falls in the honorable mention category:
“Runs incredibly hard, faster in the open field than you’d think. I think he’s going to have a big year.” — AFC executive
Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs top the list, with Derrick Henry (6th) the only AFC North back to land in the Top 10. Chase Brown received votes but was not among the honorable mentions.

Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry delivered on his promise to make a “heavy investment” in the offense during the recently completed off-season.
Berry rebuilt the entire offensive line, highlighted by first-round selection Spencer Fano at left tackle, along with veteran additions Tytus Howard, Elgton Jenkins, and Zion Johnson. And, for good measure, they added tackle Austin Barber and center Parker Brailsford later in the draft.
The pass catchers also received an extreme makeover with the selections of wide receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston and tight ends Joe Royer and Carsen Ryan, to go with incumbents Jerry Jeudy and Harold Fannin Jr.
Put all those together with returning running backs Quinshon Judkins, Dylan Sampson and Raheim Sanders, and the Browns appear to have a solid core on offense. They may not be fully unlocked until Berry solves the quarterback position in 2027 (or later, since this is still the Browns), but, overall, it looks like the Browns are on track.
While the offense appears to be on the upswing, it is fair to ponder who will still be on the roster when the Browns pull up stakes and move to their new stadium in Brook Park for the start of the 2029 season.