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In this series I will be looking at different position rooms and storylines to follow during the 2026 season and how it can impact the 2027 off season. Ideally the Cleveland Browns will see many of their current players improve during the 2026 season and fill roles on the 53 man roster for 2027. We will look at each position room and what we can ideally learn. While the dream would be for them to find a franchise quarterback from their current group of four quarterbacks, I am going to operate nearer to the consensus of reality. It is a young roster with lots of promise so there should be hope they can continue to improve as a team.
Previous articles in the series:
Can one of their four current quarterbacks develop into the backup for 2027
The Cleveland Browns have a significant amount of cash they can spend in 2027 based on my model. This chart looks at their sustainable spending strategy which allows them to weaponise Jimmy Haslam's deep pockets. The projected spend is looking at what they have done the previous three years as a ratio with the remaining cash after taking out the quarterback room. Then the current spend is players under contract, with a minimum salary for roster spaces which will be filled with extensions, trades, free agents and draft picks.
Can Quinshon Judkins Become A Top 8 Running Back
He had a good rookie year despite being was hampered by a poor offensive line and a lack of a passing game. I think it is fair for him to be pegged as an above average running back after his debut season but lots of people are talking him up higher than that. We need to see a follow up season where he proves he is a top eight running back in the league or around that conversation.
Even if he shows out to be the 10-16th best running back in the league that is still beneficial to the roster but you might be looking to add more talent in this offseason. When you are potentially looking at going into 2027 with a rookie quarterback as the starter, you want to put the best possible supporting cast around them. Ideally for the Browns that will be Judkins but if not, they can get great talent from free agency too.
Dylan Sampson, Fantastic Receiver, Can He Run The Ball?
Last year what he did in the receiving game was really promising. I think it is fair to say he has that aspect of his game locked down. If he did that over a larger sample then you are calling him a top ten receiving back in the league. He had the 23rd most receptions across the league so it was a good sample.
My main concern with Sampson is the lack of rushing during the season. It started with 12 rushes for 29 yards and the final two games he finished with 21 rushes for 59 yards. The rest of the season was 32 rushes for 87 yards. You need to see him both develop his rushing skills and give the coaching staff confidence to use him. Reports from training camp have been positive but if he can't become the teams second rusher they will need to add someone else next off-season.
As with all rookie running backs, his pass blocking leaves a lot to be desired. It is only really fair to judge them in year two, so it will be something to watch. If he can't do this then he starts to become one dimensional if he can catch really well but can't run or pass block.
If you enjoyed this article, here are some others by Jack Duffin
2026 Cleveland Browns Roster Prediction
As the offseason goes along I will update my prediction for what the roster will look like come week one.
Cleveland Browns Free Agency Targets Post Draft
Who the Cleveland Browns could look to add to strengthen their current roster.
Cleveland Browns 2027 Age Guardrails Draft Boards (OBR VIP)
The guardrails examine how Andrew Berry has operated in the past and then project this forward into the next draft class. While he could draft an older player or someone less athletic than they have ever done before, it is a solid starting point for players he is most likely to target.
June - July
VIP Bonus Articles
Some VIP articles just don't fit in any of the above categories so I will link them here:
Cash Spending By Position 2020 to 2030 - Breaking Down The Alex Wright Extension - 2026 Stock Up/Down Offensive Players - 2026 Stock Up/Down Defensive Players - Grant Delpit Extension Prediction - Browns 2027 Extension Candidates & Potential Contracts - What Should A Denzel Ward Extension Cost The Browns?
Bonus Articles
Some free read articles just don't fit in any of the above categories so I will link them here:
When Will Deshaun Watson Leave Cleveland - Practice Squad Rules & Cost - Browns Starters From 2016 to 2025 - Dummy Years, Watson & Who Else - How Dead Cap Helps, Not Hinders The Browns - What Has Caused The Browns Improved Drafting - What Does Logan Fano's Guarantees Mean - What The Renegotiated Dawand Jones Contract Means - JOK Insurance & Financial Impact - Financials After Trading Myles Garrett - Browns Can Trade Denzel Ward, But They Shouldn't - How Much Cash Can The Cleveland Browns Spending In 2026 & 2027 - Way Too Early 2027 Browns Roster Prediction - Realistic Deshaun Watson Extension - Revisited: Rookie Year Expectations For The 2025 Draft Picks - Rookie Year Expectations For 2026 Draft Picks (Day One, Day Two & Day Three) - Players Battling To Make the 2026 Roster (Offensive & Defensive) - Salary Cap Update Post Rookies Signing & Garrett Trade - Cleveland Browns Cash Spending Continues To Fall - Five Biggest Weaknesses Heading Into 2026 Season (1 Quarterback, 2 Offensive Line & 3 Young Roster, 4 Coverage Unit & #5 Lack Of Depth) - Deshaun Watson Insurance: What We Know & What We Don't Know - 2027 Free Agents, Who Is Playing For Their Jobs & Future - Browns 2027 Cut Candidates - Proven Performance Escalator: Browns Players Getting A Raise - When, Not If, The Browns Restructure Denzel Ward Contract - Understanding The Browns Spending Philosophy & Why It Is Sustainable - Salary Cap: What Matters, What Doesn't Really Matter - PUP Lists & Failed Physical Designation - Cleveland Browns What If..? (#1 They Lose The Final Two Games Of The 2025 Season, #2 The NFL Correctly Calls The Kansas City 2020 Playoff Game, #3 They Hire Sean McDermott Over Hue Jackson, #4 They Don't Trade For Deshaun Watson & #5 They Go Full John Dorsey) - Browns Only Gave Denzel Ward A Minor Raise, Now Official Numbers Released - Browns Week One Quarterback Odds Don't Match Training Narratives - Grant Delpit Contract Details Confirmed, Less Than Initially Reported - Browns 2026 Storyline Heading Into 2027 (Quarterbacks)