The Browns as stated previously were an elite defense during the 2025 season but one of the weakest offenses. If the Browns plan to right the ship headed into next season on the offensive side of things they will not only need better QB play and coaching, but their personnel will also need to be better heading into next season as well. I have done an assessment of the Browns’ offensive line heading into next season and here I will go into detail analyzing the skill position grouping of the team as the 2026 season approaches.
At running back, the team is led by 2025 2nd rounder Quinshon Judkins who had a decent rookie season that he is in line to build off of heading into the 2026 campaign. Judkins was drafted very highly, as high as running backs typically get drafted at the top of the 2nd round and is expected to be a high-level pro bowl caliber player or better with regularity. Although Judkins’ numbers and Pro Football Focus grades were below average to well below average in totality during his rookie season, he still played well for stretches. Let us not forget that the Browns were as poor of an offensive situation that a player could possibly be in last year and that certainly contributed to Judkins’ subpar production. As he heads into year 2 with the Browns having likely much improved offensive circumstances, perhaps Judkins can break out and become a star living up to his high draft selection.
2025 4th rounder Dylan Sampson is second on the depth chart behind Judkins and had perhaps an even stronger year than Judkins had as a rookie. Sampson graded as among the best receiving backs in the NFL despite being a rookie although he struggled as a runner averaging less than 3 yards an attempt. However, similar logic applies to Sampson as it did with Judkins, with the Browns’ very subpar offensive circumstances likely hindering the performance of both players. Sampson could also break out and prove to be a very good #2 back in his second season in the NFL as the Browns have better circumstances on offense next season.
2025 undrafted free Raheim Sanders perhaps had a better year than both Judkins and Sampson as a rookie in 2025. Although Sanders just appeared in very limited action, he graded above average among players at his position and well above average in terms of catching the ball out of the backfield. Sanders could certainly climb the Cleveland running back depth chart heading into year 2 with the Browns having likely much better offensive circumstances for players to work in.
At wide receiver the team had perhaps the worst unit in the NFL during the 2025 season and Cleveland’s front office revamped it this offseason. The #1 wide out listed on the depth chart is still former 1st rounder Jerry Jeudy who certainly has talent but has had his ups and downs in the NFL. Jeudy in six seasons in the NFL has graded in the above average range among players at his position only twice. However, Jeudy during the 2024 season allocated over 1200 receiving yards on nearly 13.7 yards per reception while notching a pro bowl appearance and living up to his 1st round draft hype. Jeudy in his career has consistently had poor QB play playing for the Broncos and Browns, as both those franchises never had a surefire starting NFL QB throwing Jeudy the ball. Despite that Jeudy was still able to manage a pro bowl appearance, now that Jeudy might get a high-level player at the QB position, along with much better offensive circumstances in general, we could see Jeudy thrive and be the perennial pro bowler he was supposed to be entering the league.
The overhaul that I was referring to in regards to the Browns’ wide receiver room would be the wide receivers they drafted in the first and second round of the 2026 draft. In the first-round Cleveland drafted wide receiver KC Concepion who received first team All-SEC honors during his last season in college which is not easy to do playing in likely the toughest conference in the sport. Concepion will be expected to contribute right away to an otherwise thin Browns’ wide receiver room. In the second round the Browns drafted wide receiver Denzel Boston near the top of the round who will also be expected to contribute right away for the Browns.
From a depth standpoint at wide receiver the Browns have a few more notable names that could certainly contribute to the wide receiver room for Cleveland next season. 2025 undrafted free agent Isaiah Bond averaged nearly 19 yards a reception as a rookie on over 300 yards which is no small feat. While 2024 3rd rounder Malachi Corley has looked decent in limited NFL action and was drafted highly for a reason.
At tight end the Browns recently traded away long-time veteran David Njoku and are relying upon 2025 3rd rounder Harold Fanin Jr to come into his own for the team. Fanin Jr had a very strong rookie season ranking above average at his position in totality while being graded as one of the better pass catching tight ends in the sport despite being a rookie. Given his high draft selection and his borderline elite rookie season, Fanin Jr is in line to become a perennial pro bowl caliber player at tight end for the Browns. Cleveland does lack depth behind Fanin Jr at tight end however as no other tight end on their roster is a surefire NFL player as of now.
Overall, the Browns could be solid and eventually very good from a skill position standpoint heading into next season. A breakdown of the Browns from a skill position standpoint heading into the 2026 season can be found below.
2026 Browns Notable Running Backs
HB1 – Quinshon Judkins – 2025 2nd rounder, C to C- as rookie, in line to become potential star
HB2 – Dylan Sampson – 2024 4th rounder, C+ as rookie, very strong pass catcher out of the backfield
HB3 – Raheim Sanders – C+ to B- in very limited rookie snaps and 2025 UDFA
2026 Browns Notable Tight Ends
TE1- Harold Fanin Jr – B to B+ as rookie, 2025 3rd rounder
2026 Browns Notable Wide Receivers
WR1 – Jerry Jeudy – C+ to B-, former first rounder who has shown promise, can now potentially come into his own finally placed in strong offensive circumstances
WR2 – KC Concepion – 2026 1st rounder
WR3 – Denzel Boston – 2026 2nd rounder
WR4 – Isaiah Bond – C to C+ as rookie, 2025 UDFA
WR5 – Malachi Corley – 2024 3rd rounder, C to C+ in very limited snaps, has not had chance to shine yet
