Quinshon Judkins’ Breakout: Jaw-Dropping Runs, Record Stats, and What’s Next for Ole Miss’ Star RB

CLEVELAND – Rookie running back Quinshon Judkins is set for the busiest Sunday of his young pro career when the Cleveland Browns host the Minnesota Vikings. After two weeks of limited snaps while the coaching staff eased him back from an off-season legal matter, the former Ole Miss star is finally ticketed for a feature role against a defense surrendering the ninth-most rushing yards per game. A whirlwind first month Judkins’ NFL journey has already packed in more drama than most rookies experience in a year. He signed a fully guaranteed four-year, $11.4 million contract on Sept. 6, only to miss most of training camp after an arrest on a misdemeanor weapons charge that was later dismissed. The absence cost him the opening-day roster spot, but Cleveland activated him before Week 3, granting a two-game roster exemption to help him ramp up. Coaches used those two contests to get Judkins up to speed with protections and the passing playbook. He logged 11 carries for 52 yards in limited duty but flashed the same downhill burst that produced back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in the SEC. “Now you’ll start seeing the full arsenal,” offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said Thursday. Why the Vikings matchup matters Minnesota’s aggressive “Flores front” creates creases on the second level, something Judkins excelled at exploiting in college. The rookie averaged 3.6 yards after contact per rush in the preseason, highest among Browns backs with 15+ carries. Linebacker misdirection packages are expected to be Cleveland’s counterpunch, with Judkins running duo and counter behind Pro Bowl guards Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller. Judkins also believes new starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel will “bring the juice” that keeps safeties honest after the team benched Joe Flacco for the mobile rookie passer. A heavier dose of zone-read looks could open cutback lanes that mirror what Judkins ran at Ole Miss. Health, workload and fantasy outlook Judkins is off the injury report for the first time since signing. Head coach Kevin Stefanski declined to reveal an exact touch count but hinted that “20 touches are well within the range.” For fantasy football managers, that vaults Judkins into RB2 territory against a unit allowing 4.7 yards per carry to opposing backs. The added receiving upside—he caught 41 passes his junior year—makes him a viable DFS tournament pivot. What nearly derailed the debut Many fans still wonder why Judkins was absent in Week 1. According to Pro Football Network, the team held him out partly to avoid a potential NFL suspension while the legal process played out, even though the case never reached trial. Sources say the Browns kept daily communication with league officials to ensure no unexpected discipline would wipe out his rookie season. Keys to Judkins’ breakout • Early down dominance: Cleveland ranks 26th in first-down rushing efficiency. A productive Judkins on early downs will keep Gabriel out of third-and-long. • Pass protection: Minnesota blitzes at a top-five rate. Coaches trust Judkins to identify linebacker/slot pressures, a responsibility he was not asked to shoulder heavily in college. • Ball security: The rookie had only one fumble in 595 collegiate touches; maintaining that track record is paramount in a close AFC North race. The bottom line All signs point to Sunday as Quinshon Judkins’ coming-out party. If he capitalizes, the Browns could finally stabilize a ground game that has been in flux since Nick Chubb’s free-agent departure. For fans, fantasy managers and bettors hunting an edge, keeping tabs on every Judkins touch may be the difference between a win and a loss this weekend—and could mark the moment the NFL meets its next breakout workhorse back.