Dylan Sampson
20-Year-Old
2024 Rush/Rec Stats
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2025 Projections
2025 Fantasy Outlook
Sampson was a highly-productive starter for Tennessee in 2024, running for 1,491 yards and 22 touchdowns while averaging 5.8 yards per carry, and production like that can only be accrued with some amount of innate ability with the football. Sampson's method of winning is clearly his speed, and at 5-foot-8, 200 pounds Sampson is unlikely to ever run with much power in the NFL. It's crucial, then, that his speed remain a true ace to play, because the other parts of Sampson's profile are unlikely to do much lifting. To this point Sampson is not a developed passing-down back, and until that changes it might be difficult for the fourth-round rookie to work his way into the game plan. The Browns will likely hand the 2025 backfield to 36th overall selection Quinshon Judkins and passing-down veteran Jerome Ford, with Sampson likely a developmental project in the meantime. Read Past Outlooks
RANKS
Getting reps in receiving game
Browns running backs coach Duce Staley said at mandatory minicamp in mid-June that Sampson has gotten work "as a running back and a receiver," Dan Labbe of cleveland.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Staley also said that Sampson has worked with wide receivers coach Chad O'Shea, and that the rookie fourth-round pick "is able to go play in the slot and also he's able to go and play on third down and maybe sprinkle in a little second down." The running backs coach also noted that fellow rookie RB Quinshon Judkins, whom the Browns drafted two rounds ahead of Sampson, will be "able to do a little something [...] at receiver, too." Meanwhile, incumbent Jerome Ford has already demonstrated tangible pass-catching chops, and Staley praised his "speed" and ability to "pick up the blitz and catch the ball." While all three of Cleveland's top running backs could see tangible usage in the passing game, Labbe hypothesizes that as things currently stand Judkins and Sampson project to lead the Browns' revamped backfield, with Ford serving as the No. 3 back. Sampson didn't catch many passes in college at Tennessee, including as the team's starter in 2024, so it would come as a surprise if he in fact beats out Ford for passing-down reps at training camp, but if the rookie fourth-rounder can manage that feat he'll have a clear path to fantasy relevance in Year 1, especially in PPR formats.
Staley also said that Sampson has worked with wide receivers coach Chad O'Shea, and that the rookie fourth-round pick "is able to go play in the slot and also he's able to go and play on third down and maybe sprinkle in a little second down." The running backs coach also noted that fellow rookie RB Quinshon Judkins, whom the Browns drafted two rounds ahead of Sampson, will be "able to do a little something [...] at receiver, too." Meanwhile, incumbent Jerome Ford has already demonstrated tangible pass-catching chops, and Staley praised his "speed" and ability to "pick up the blitz and catch the ball." While all three of Cleveland's top running backs could see tangible usage in the passing game, Labbe hypothesizes that as things currently stand Judkins and Sampson project to lead the Browns' revamped backfield, with Ford serving as the No. 3 back. Sampson didn't catch many passes in college at Tennessee, including as the team's starter in 2024, so it would come as a surprise if he in fact beats out Ford for passing-down reps at training camp, but if the rookie fourth-rounder can manage that feat he'll have a clear path to fantasy relevance in Year 1, especially in PPR formats.
NFL Stats
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Fantasy/Red Zone Stats
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Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
Snap Counts
Snap %
Receiving Alignment Breakdown
See where Dylan Sampson lined up on the field and how he performed at each spot.
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2024 Dylan Sampson Split Stats
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Measurables Review
View College Player Page
How do Dylan Sampson's measurables compare to other running backs?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
Height
5' 8"Weight
200 lbsVertical Jump
35.0 inBroad Jump
124 inHand Length
8.75 inArm Length
30.50 inMore Fantasy News
Another back drafted by Cleveland
The Browns selected Sampson in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, 126th overall.
ANALYSIS
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Entering 2025 NFL Draft
Sampson (lower body) will enter the 2025 NFL Draft, Patrick Brown of 247Sports.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Potential Day 3 gem
Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic believes Sampson is among the Day 3 draft picks best positioned to make an impact as a rookie.
ANALYSIS
Sampson will compete with fellow rookie Quinshon Judkins and veteran Jerome Ford for touches in Cleveland's backfield. Judkins was drafted in the second round, two rounds ahead of Sampson, but Baumgardner believes the competition in Cleveland's backfield is wide open. Sampson has a chance to take on a significant role out of the gate in the NFL after setting school records for Tennessee with 1,491 rushing yards and 22 rushing touchdowns in 2024.
Sampson will compete with fellow rookie Quinshon Judkins and veteran Jerome Ford for touches in Cleveland's backfield. Judkins was drafted in the second round, two rounds ahead of Sampson, but Baumgardner believes the competition in Cleveland's backfield is wide open. Sampson has a chance to take on a significant role out of the gate in the NFL after setting school records for Tennessee with 1,491 rushing yards and 22 rushing touchdowns in 2024.