Sampson carried the ball twice for three yards and caught his only target for 14 yards in Saturday's 19-17 preseason win over the Rams.

EDGE Analysis

The 2025 fourth-round pick got the first carry of the afternoon for the Browns, and Sampson split the backfield workload with Jerome Ford over the first two drives before exiting the game. That figures to be the arrangement to begin the regular season, but how snaps are actually divided between the two, and in what situations, remains to be seen. Quinshon Judkins, a second-round pick in 2025 who has yet to sign a contract with Cleveland due to off-field issues, remains a wild card but could be added to the backfield later in the year.

Sampson was the first running back through the rotation both Wednesday and Thursday during joint practices with the Eagles, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sampson started Cleveland's preseason opener and took two carries for six yards, although it didn't mean much with most of the key veterans -- including RB Jerome Ford -- being held out. The first-team reps in practice are a better sign, especially with no report of Ford being injured, potentially hinting at a rotation between the two RBs early in the season. Fellow rookie running back Quinshon Judkins remains unsigned -- and uncertain to play this season -- after a July arrest for domestic violence charges.

Sampson gained six rushing yards on two carries and failed to haul in his only target in Friday's 30-10 preseason win over the Panthers.

EDGE Analysis

The 2025 fourth-round pick got the start in the Browns' exhibition opener with Jerome Ford being held out along with the other starters, and fellow rookie running back Quinshon Judkins still unsigned and away from the team due to off-field issues. Sampson didn't do much, but he was only on the field for Cleveland's first two drives before checking out of the contest. The limited snaps suggest that coach Kevin Stefanski may already be comfortable with Sampson's role in the offense and doesn't need the Tennessee product to prove himself, or risk injury, during the preseason. With Ford having flopped last season when he got a chance to establish himself as the team's starting RB, and Judkins' status still murky for Week 1, the door could be opening for Sampson to handle a significant role right out of the gate when the regular season begins.

Browns running backs coach Duce Staley said at mandatory minicamp in mid-June that Sampson has gotten work "as a running back and a receiver," Dan Labbe of cleveland.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Staley also said that Sampson has worked with wide receivers coach Chad O'Shea, and that the rookie fourth-round pick "is able to go play in the slot and also he's able to go and play on third down and maybe sprinkle in a little second down." The running backs coach also noted that fellow rookie RB Quinshon Judkins, whom the Browns drafted two rounds ahead of Sampson, will be "able to do a little something [...] at receiver, too." Meanwhile, incumbent Jerome Ford has already demonstrated tangible pass-catching chops, and Staley praised his "speed" and ability to "pick up the blitz and catch the ball." While all three of Cleveland's top running backs could see tangible usage in the passing game, Labbe hypothesizes that as things currently stand Judkins and Sampson project to lead the Browns' revamped backfield, with Ford serving as the No. 3 back. Sampson didn't catch many passes in college at Tennessee, including as the team's starter in 2024, so it would come as a surprise if he in fact beats out Ford for passing-down reps at training camp, but if the rookie fourth-rounder can manage that feat he'll have a clear path to fantasy relevance in Year 1, especially in PPR formats.