Quinshon Judkins‘ off-field scenario continues to cloud his NFL profession, even after a latest decision. However the second-round Browns draftee is transferring towards an early-season debut.
The Cleveland Browns agreed to terms with the running back on a fully guaranteed rookie contract Saturday, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports. Judkins is just not anticipated to play this week, however may see his debut are available Week 2, Rapoport adds. He’ll fly to Cleveland to signal his deal this afternoon, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who confirms the previous Ohio State and Ole Miss again’s debut date is just not but identified.
Chosen thirty sixth general, Judkins was ticketed for a completely assured contract primarily based on the place the line of demarcation for such deals settled back in July. Tyler Shough, receiving a completely assured Saints deal — because the No. 40 general selection — all the time pointed to Judkins securing such phrases. However charges of battery and domestic violence led to this course of dragging to the eve of Week 1.
Even with prosecutors deciding not to move forward with this case, cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot notes the NFL continues to be conducting an investigation — one that might result in a suspension underneath the non-public conduct coverage.
Cleveland is anticipated to obtain a brief roster exemption for Judkins, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero. This will last as long as two video games. Judkins, 21, has not practiced because the Browns’ offseason program. Needing a ramp-up interval earlier than being deemed able to play, Judkins might be sidelined past Week 2. However this settlement places an early-season debut in play whereas additionally finalizing the 2025 rookie class’ contracts. It’s an $11.4M slot deal.
Suspensions sometimes void ensures, which led to the Judkins contractual slowdown. That is still a matter to observe, however the Browns could have inserted language — as they did with Deshaun Watson — to guard the rookie RB within the occasion of a ban. In the meanwhile, Jerome Ford and fourth-round rookie Dylan Sampson will likely be anticipated to guide Cleveland’s backfield. However Judkins may have a say quickly.
One of many affect transfers for the Buckeyes final season, Judkins heard his identify known as earlier than teammate TreVeyon Henderson. The Browns selected Judkins two spots earlier than the Patriots drafted Henderson. Whereas the latter has acquired way more buzz forward of his rookie season, Judkins drew intensive curiosity throughout the draft runup — after a school profession that included three 1,000-yard speeding seasons in three years. He amassed 1,567 speeding yards and 16 TDs as a real freshman, and after main the SEC with 15 speeding scores a yr later, the previous high-end recruit shaped a 1,000-1,000 duo with Henderson in Columbus.
The Browns bid farewell to longtime backfield stalwart Nick Chubb this offseason, letting the previous Professional Bowler stroll in free company. Chubb joined the Texans, who’re anticipated to provide the previous Browns second-rounder a key position in gentle of Joe Mixon touchdown on the reserve/NFI record. Cleveland has Ford — Chubb’s major fill-in over the previous two seasons — underneath contract for yet one more yr. Judkins and Sampson, nevertheless, signify longer-term options in being contracted by 2028.
