Browns’ exciting rookie may have been handed a golden opportunity to start training camp and it was totally out of his control

Cleveland Browns rookies will report to training camp on July 18, with veterans following on July 22. It’s that time of year again — NFL football is just around the corner.

Coming off a 3-14 season, the Browns must improve offensively if they hope to string together more wins in 2025. They hoped to have addressed the offense in the draft somewhat by adding youth at key positions: quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, running backs Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson, and tight end Harold Fannin.

Cleveland had a historically poor offense last season, and turning things around may involve shifting back to the wide-zone running scheme. However, there’s one issue: Judkins, who could be the starting running back, has yet to sign his rookie contract. On top of that, he was recently charged with domestic violence in Florida — a situation that must be addressed.

Door may be open for fourth-round pick Browns’ Dylan Sampson to seize a significant opportunity

Jimmy Haslam just had to draft a Tennessee product (joking — sort of), but the Browns landed a good one in Sampson. He totaled nearly 1,500 yards for the Volunteers last season as the focal point of their offense. At 5-foot-8 and 201 pounds, Sampson could see additional reps in camp if Judkins remains unavailable due to contractual or legal issues.

With the Nick Chubb era officially over, Cleveland must run the ball more effectively to return to a true Kevin Stefanski-style offense. Selecting both Judkins and Sampson signals a commitment to the ground game in 2025, aimed at supporting whoever wins the quarterback competition. The two rookies join fourth-year running back Jerome Ford to make up the room. A key part of that success will also depend on improved play along the offensive line.

Sampson has a chance to be a real difference-maker for the Browns in 2025. The team will look for creative ways to get the ball in his hands, and if Judkins remains sidelined, extra reps in training camp could accelerate Sampson’s development — a potential benefit for both the rookie and the team.