BEREA, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns have had as many as 14 rookies on their active roster, including the seven players that were drafted in the 2025 NFL Draft. In Sundays 24-10 over the Raiders, the draft class continued to show up and were instrumental in the Browns win. Currently, the Browns have 13 rookies on the roster after undrafted rookie free agent Dom Jones was placed on injured reserve last week with a knee injury.
In Sunday's 24-10 win over the Raiders, the Browns three touchdowns were all attributed to the rookies. Running back Quinshon Judkins scored both rushing touchdowns and fellow rookie running back, Dylan Sampson scored on the only passing touchdown, a 66-yard screen pass from quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Sampson accounted for 82 all-purpose yards.
Undrafted rookie wide receiver Isaiah Bond caught a 52-yard pass that set up Judkins second touchdown, but would have been a touchdown, if not for being tripped up at the two-yard line.
Sanders threw the three-longest passing plays of the season, incuding the 66-yard touchdown to Sampson, the 52-yard pass to Bond and a 39-yard pass to Jerry Jeudy, who ended up shortening the reception by fumbling.
Offensively, the Browns were the first team in the Super Bowl era to have five rookies with 40 yards in the same game, including Sanders, Judkins, Sampson, Bond and Harold Fannin.
Nine of the 13 rookies on the roster contributed with big plays in the game, while two played on special teams and two were inactive, including one due to injury.
The OBR asked Kevin Stefanski about the rookies and their role in the win and moving forward.
"We've talked really all season long, that these are players that we're counting on," Stefanski said. "These are guys that we trust and they're wired the right way. And that's the thing that I get to see on an everyday basis of how they approach their job, how they go to work, how they work, how they work on their craft, how they push each other. And then obviously, to make plays on Sundays is a result of all that work.
"So it's fun for me as a coach to see the development of these young men with their coaches and how much work they're putting it into it," he said. "And then to be able to see that work and see the fruits of the labor, so to speak on Sunday is a testament to what these guys are doing in this building throughout this season."
Dylan Sampson is proud of what the rookies have been contributing.
"I think we're all contributing, drafted and undrafted to this team in a positive manner," Sampson said. "And it is only up from here if we continue to do the right things, continue to get great coaching and learn as much as we can from the guys that came before. It makes you proud about this class though."
Mason Graham (Photo: Getty, 247Sports)
Summary of rookies play against Raiders, season:
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (First Round No. 5 overall) -- Graham had four tackles, tackle for loss and had a pass defense on a batted down pass. Graham could have easily been crediting with a sack or two as he was around the quarterback on several of the Browns ten sacks. On the season, Graham has 26 tackles, a half sack and four passes defensed.
Stefanski was asked if Graham played his best game of the season.
"I thought Mason was very, very disruptive," Stefanski said on Monday. "Very active, both in the run and the pass. I mean, the entire defensive line obviously, was assaulting the pocket throughout the game, but Mason continues to be a player that is harassing the quarterback, is around the ball, is making plays in the run game. So I do think, again, another young player that we've talked about all season long, these young players get better, they improve, and it's not just because the calendar's changing, it's because they're putting the work in. So I definitely put Mason in that group of players as well."