Quinshon Judkins

Career StatsB+

Year	Team	GP	Yards	TD	YPC
Career		14	827	7	3.6
2025		14	827	7	3.6

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Earning a B+ Contract Value Index, Quinshon Judkins' 4-year pact reflects how Cleveland valued the running back market entering his second season. At $2.85M AAV on a rookie scale deal, the terms are fundamentally low-risk for the franchise—standard for a second-round pick locked in through his arbitration windows—but what elevates the CVI grade is the convergence of his B+ performance profile and the offensive momentum building around him. In his 2025 rookie season, Judkins accumulated 171 receiving yards across 14 games, a modest foundation that nonetheless impressed the coaching staff enough to signal a material expanded role heading into 2026. The sentiment frame around him has shifted decisively positive: recent coverage emphasizes physical readiness, a 58-yard highlight-reel burst that generated analyst buzz, and positioning him as one of the league's more overlooked breakout candidates despite his limited NFL track record. At 22 years old and just one season into his career, Judkins sits at an inflection point where youth, injury recovery, and genuine scheme fit alignment create legitimate upside potential—precisely the profile that makes rookie deals valuable when they hit. The Browns' recent defensive additions signal organizational confidence in competing sooner rather than later, creating an environment where a second-year RB breakout isn't speculative noise but rather an actual organizational priority within their offensive construction.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the B band — a quick read on where Quinshon's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Quinshon Judkins enters the NFL as a highly touted rookie back for Cleveland, already carving out a meaningful role in the Browns' offense. His early-season B- grade reflects the adjustment period typical of first-year backs, yet the overall B+ career grade signals genuine promise. Among rookie running backs, his production compares favorably to early-career snapshots of players like Tony Pollard and James Conner. The most encouraging sign is his rushing volume — 59.1 yards per game dwarfs the NFL average of 22.39 and edges close to the elite threshold of 72.0. His 0.50 rushing touchdowns per game also surpasses the league average of 0.29, demonstrating red-zone trust from Cleveland's coaching staff. The concern worth monitoring is his 3.60 yards per carry, sitting notably below the NFL average of 4.11, suggesting he's earning his yards after contact rather than creating explosive runs behind the line. Judkins profiles as a high-volume, between-the-tackles workhorse who wins through effort and physicality rather than top-end burst. If he can push his yards-per-carry closer to the league average, the rest of his profile becomes genuinely exciting. Watch for improvements in his second season as the game slows down and he better identifies cutback lanes and second-level opportunities.

How Quinshon Compares at the Position

Quinshon Judkins ranks 25th of 175 graded running backs by performance. That slots Quinshon between Nick Chubb (B+) just ahead and Jacory Croskey-Merritt (B+) just behind.

Current Sentiment

Quinshon Judkins enters 2026 as a second-year running back with modest career credentials but notably positive momentum following his return from a season-ending ankle injury. Media coverage is uniformly optimistic about his physical recovery and restored explosiveness, with multiple outlets highlighting his confidence and on-field performance in offseason activities. However, his baseline perception remains anchored to his role-player status—limited career production (26 receptions), minimal contract value ($2.9M), and no Pro Bowl or All-Pro recognition temper expectations despite the encouraging headlines. The Browns organization appears to view him as a bright spot in their backfield, suggesting internal confidence in his 2026 contribution, though he has not yet proven himself as a featured or elite-tier back. Fan and media perception is cautiously optimistic rather than bullish; Judkins is a young talent with upside, but his reputation will ultimately depend on translating offseason confidence into consistent regular-season production.