The Cleveland Browns have a way different-looking team from a year ago with training camp set to start on July 28. 

Cleveland has an entirely new offensive line, two rookie wide receivers, and a new head coach with Todd Monken.  

If the Browns want to take a big step forward, much of their success will rely on the quarterback position being improved. An element of good quarterback play is often a solid run game, which the Browns believe they can have in 2026. 

Quinshon Judkins is a huge factor for the Browns in 2026 

Last year Judkins gave the Browns a taste of what they lost when Nick Chubb went down with injury in 2023 and it changed his career. Judkins looked the part in 14 games before suffering a serious injury that knocked him out of the last couple of games. 

The job Judkins did last season with 827 rushing yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie behind a bad offensive line makes him an easy breakout pick for 2026. The Athletic has named the second year back Cleveland’s breakout player to watch and I completely agree.  

“Judkins has to be healthy and has to learn to play on the pass downs he couldn’t last year due to his summer absence, but he’s going to get plenty of chances to prove he’s an explosive and reliable runner at the game’s highest level,” Zac Jackson wrote. 

Judkins runs hard just like Chubb did and brings a similar level speed to be able to do damage at the second and third levels. The former Ohio State star is back healthy ahead of schedule and will be a full participant in training camp. The Browns are going to run the ball a ton with Monken at the helm, and Judkins is going to be a fantasy favorite as a result in my opinion. 

We got glimpses of what Judkins can do last season and 2026 is when he takes the jump to be a 1,000-yard running back with double-digit touchdowns. I expect him to enter the fan favorite zone during his second season on top of the impact as a ball carrier.