Quinshon Judkins Emerging as the Browns’ Star Running Back of the Future

Just two games into his NFL career, rookie running back Quinshon Judkins is already showing flashes of being the long-term answer in the Cleveland Browns backfield.

The 36th overall pick in this year’s draft made his debut in Week 2 against the Ravens after a turbulent offseason that kept him off the field for training camp. Despite practicing only twice before his first game, Judkins led the Browns in rushing yards and carries, displaying toughness and explosiveness that stood out in an otherwise one-sided loss.

That early glimpse of his potential was only a preview. In Week 3, Judkins logged his first career start against the Green Bay Packers — and he delivered in a big way. The rookie carried the ball 18 times for 94 yards and a touchdown, adding a reception, and he powered Cleveland’s offense to a 13-10 comeback victory. His game-changing 38-yard run in the fourth quarter set up the tying score, and moments later, he punched in a one-yard touchdown that gave the Browns the lead for good.

What makes Judkins’ early success so striking is the context. After missing all of training camp due to a legal matter — charges that prosecutors declined to pursue — Judkins had not practiced with the team since June before stepping into live NFL action in Baltimore. Now, with only a handful of practices under his belt, he already looks like the most dynamic weapon in Cleveland’s backfield.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski has been careful not to crown the rookie just yet, but his play speaks for itself. Judkins runs with vision, balance, and power, shrugging off would-be tacklers and consistently finding extra yards after contact. In just two games, he has recorded runs of 30 and 38 yards, something the Browns’ ground game has lacked since Nick Chubb.

Cleveland’s Week 3 depth chart already lists Judkins as the starting running back, and his workload is expected to grow. If his trajectory continues, the Browns may have found their next franchise star — a running back capable of carrying the offense for years to come.

For a team searching for stability at the position, Quinshon Judkins looks like the future.