Quinshon Judkins’ off-field issues bring a cloud of uncertainty over the Browns’ backfield. Is there an opportunity for a backup option to have an impact, or is the situation still too murky for fantasy managers to invest? Mat Irby ventures into the fog to provide some clarity for both dynasty and redraft approaches to the Cleveland running back room.
At 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 12, Fort Lauderdale police responded to a delayed battery report on West Cypress Creek Road. After a preliminary investigation, officers identified Browns rookie RB Quinshon Judkins as the suspect and took him into custody. There are few details, but an arrest record released Monday accused Judkins of punching a female companion in the mouth with a closed fist, then striking her about the arms and legs. Judkins, a second-round pick, had yet to sign his expected four-year, $11.4 million rookie contract.
Browns rookies are set to report to training camp this Friday, placing immediate uncertainty on Judkins’ future with the team. While it was never confirmed he’d start Week 1, most expected him to lead the Browns in rushing. Sportsbooks had his rushing prop between 650.5 and 675.5 yards, the highest among Cleveland RBs, and futures markets gave him 66/1 odds to lead the NFL in rushing, the shortest odds of any Browns back.
That optimism, paired with Day 2 draft capital and Nick Chubb’s departure to Houston, positioned Judkins as the likely lead back in Cleveland for fantasy; that trajectory is now in serious doubt.
WHAT HAPPENED MAY BE GRIM, BUT IT IS NOT YET CLEAR
First and foremost, these are allegations, and very little is publicly known. While it’s essential to take such claims seriously, it’s equally important not to jump to conclusions before we fully understand the facts. The legal process must run its course.
The allegations are serious. We should unequivocally condemn domestic violence and physical abuse. If substantiated, these events matter far more than football or fantasy football. That truth isn’t lost on me, and the juxtaposition of these events with the “fantasy angle” of them admittedly feels absurd. Still, this piece addresses the reality that fantasy managers need to understand the potential impact on their teams and investments, which is what we do here.
This article does not intend to minimize the human stakes. Instead, it aims to responsibly address the fantasy football impact while recognizing the broader, more important context. Our discussion will focus on the football-related consequences, but always with respect for the seriousness of the situation.
JUDKINS EXITED THE DRAFT WITH STAR POTENTIAL
Judkins was RotoViz’s fifth-best RB prospect before the draft, behind Ashton Jeanty, Omarion Hampton, TreVeyon Henderson, and Cam Skattebo. He spent his first two seasons at Ole Miss; he ranked seventh in the NCAA in rushing yards as a freshman, gaining 1,567 ground yards, including 929 after contact. He tied for seventh in forced missed tackles and ranked second in runs of at least 15 yards, trailing only noted lightning bug Keaton Mitchell.
As a sophomore, his dominator rating improved despite his rushing yards dipping below 1,200. Still, he finished ninth in yards after contact and tied for fourth in forced missed tackles.
From the RotoViz Rookie Guide:
His yards per attempt cratered to 4.3 as a sophomore, but his 52 broken tackles were the most for any Power conference back in the last five years. The charting numbers were so phenomenal that he posted his best points above average numbers despite an extremely low positive percentage (36%). He scored 15 more TDs and added 22 receptions.
After his sophomore season, he entered the transfer portal and emerged at Ohio State, where he shared the backfield with Henderson, who was also a second-round draft pick this spring. This reduced his rushing attempts to below 200 for the first time, and his rush attempt adjusted market share fell below 50%. Judkins was also seldom used as a receiver, never topping 38% yards per team pass attempt or 4% receiving market share. Still, he showed potential for more, and Judkins earned 22-161-2 through the air at Ohio State, despite sharing with Henderson.
Judkins had an 87th percentile Freak Score and 98th percentile Explosion Score, and he was the third RB taken in a high-profile class, behind only Jeanty and Hampton. His list of best sims from the Box Score Scout is a who’s who of hardworking backs with limited upside.
Other RBs prominent evaluators have compared him to include Todd Gurley, Joe Mixon, Melvin Gordon, Ezekiel Elliott, Dameon Pierce, Trey Benson, Derrius Guice, Paul Perkins, and Chubb himself. Although analysts did not initially consider Gurley, Mixon, Gordon, and Elliott to be plus pass catchers, they produced decent to good outputs at times throughout their careers (Gurley achieved elite receiving production at his height).
Before this alleged incident, observers frequently lauded Judkins for being a high-character guy who works hard and makes ethically good choices, and considered him a positive addition to any locker room.
