Dylan Sampson

NFL player. Position: RB. Team: CLE.

Quick Facts

• Position: RB
• Team: CLE (Cleveland Browns)
• Bye week (2026): 11
• FantasyPros PPR rank (pulled 2026-05-21): 140

2026 Outlook

Sampson is positioned as a classic stash candidate entering 2026. With uncertainty surrounding the health of Cleveland's backfield, he could carve out a meaningful early-season role. At minimum, he projects as a passing-down back, but at best could see expanded usage if injuries linger ahead of him on the depth chart (per 12 Fantasy Football RBs to Draft: Round-by-Round Picks (2026)).

July 6 update – Performance bar raised: Sampson's roster status hinges on his ability to prove as a true complement to Quinshon Judkins. In 2025, his rookie season, he demonstrated strong pass-catching ability (per NFL Backfield Rankings: Grading Every Team's Running Backs [2026]) but struggled as a runner, averaging just 2.7 yards per carry on 62 attempts (167 total rushing yards). For the Browns to keep him on the active roster beyond 2026, he must improve his ground-game consistency. If he fails to establish himself as a viable 1-2 punch with Judkins, the team could turn to younger options like Raheim Sanders (per 3 Cleveland Browns players whose future is at stake with the team during the 2026 NFL season).

Judkins complement (Aug 19): FantasyPros analysts cite Sampson as underrated with "preseason juice" and the passing-down role Todd Monken may prefer over Quinshon Judkins—one reason multiple experts avoid Judkins at ADP. (per 24 Fantasy Football Players Experts Avoid at ADP (2026) - FantasyPros)

July 7 update (training camp): As the Browns enter 2026 training camp, Sampson faces stiff competition for a roster spot. The article notes that while he struggled as a runner in 2025 (2.7 YPC), he had 33 catches for 271 yards and 2 TDs. Under Todd Monken's scheme, the team is expected to lean heavily into pass-catching out of the backfield, which should favor Sampson. However, his pass protection and receiving consistency will need to prove out in competitive drills. He's on the roster bubble heading into camp (per Cleveland Browns training camp 2026: RB preview – Judkins starts, but who is after him?).

Role / Depth Chart

Third-down back and pass-catching specialist behind Quinshon Judkins. Likely to see meaningful snaps on passing downs under Todd Monken. Not a runner in the zone-blocking scheme; primarily valuable in receiving and blitz-pickup roles.

Injury Status

Week 5 practice window opened (Oct 12): HC Todd Monken announced that the Browns are opening Dylan Sampson's practice window this week as he works his way back from a knee injury suffered in Week 1. Sampson was placed on injured reserve after Week 1 but appears to be progressing ahead of schedule. With primary RB Quinshon Judkins now dealing with an ankle "tweak" and wearing a walking boot, Sampson could get meaningful work in Week 6 if he clears the practice window and is activated. His return, while carrying inherent risk of re-injury after being thrown into a large workload, would provide a safety net for a depleted Browns backfield. (per Fantasy Football Injury Impact: Quinshon Judkins Escapes Major Injury and Dylan Sampson Set to Return from IR)

Week 1 knee injury (Sept 15): Sampson suffered a knee injury during Week 1 and was placed on injured reserve. He was expected to miss significant time, ending his early-season fantasy relevance (per Dylan Sampson's Knee Injury Clears A Path For Quinshon Judkins And Another Browns'...)

Recent News

• 2026-10-12 — Fantasy Football Injury Impact: Quinshon Judkins Escapes Major Injury and Dylan... (Fantasy Football Injury Impact: Quinshon Judkins Escapes Major Injury and Dylan...)
• 2026-09-15 — Dylan Sampson is Expected to Miss Significant Time with Knee Injury - NFL News |... (Dylan Sampson is Expected to Miss Significant Time with Knee Injury - NFL News |...)
• 2026-09-15 — Dylan Sampson's Knee Injury Clears A Path For Quinshon Judkins And Another Browns'... (Dylan Sampson's Knee Injury Clears A Path For Quinshon Judkins And Another Browns'...)
• 2026-06-10 — Notes: Todd Monken delays QB decision, says Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson have... (Notes: Todd Monken delays QB decision, says Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson have...)
• 2026-05-30 — NFL Backfield Rankings: Grading Every Team's Running Backs [2026] (NFL Backfield Rankings: Grading Every Team's Running Backs [2026])
• 2026-05-18 — Fantasy Football Running Back Handcuff Rankings (2026) (Fantasy Football Running Back Handcuff Rankings (2026))
• 2026-03-25 — Analyzing Browns’ offensive depth chart: How will the receiver room be filled out? -... (Analyzing Browns’ offensive depth chart: How will the receiver room be filled out? -...)
• 2026-06-14 — Running Back Rankings For 2026 Fantasy Football: Jeremiyah Love, Breece Hall & More (Running Back Rankings For 2026 Fantasy Football: Jeremiyah Love, Breece Hall & More)
• 2026-04-29 — Browns depth chart: Projecting where the roster stands after the NFL Draft (Browns depth chart: Projecting where the roster stands after the NFL Draft)
• 2026-04-25 — Cleveland Browns NFL Draft 2026 pick tracker: Grades, fits and scouting reports (Cleveland Browns NFL Draft 2026 pick tracker: Grades, fits and scouting reports)

Open Questions

(scoped to this player — pulled from Fantasy Football Open Questions)