The Cleveland Browns have expectations of not being one of the league’s worst clubs for a second consecutive year. GM Andrew Berry worked overtime this offseason to address the weak spots and bring in new players to replace those who weren’t getting it done.
Training camp is approaching, and the air will be very clear on the final 53-man roster and who is in and who is out. The focus will then be on which players will fit best at all positions.
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There are
many good-to-great players on this year’s roster, and still some problem areas. But there is one player on offense who can change the narrative and perhaps be the difference in games.
RB Quinshon Judkins
While most would point to the quarterback position as being the key component to success this year, the fact is, RB Quinshon Judkins brought the Browns’ running game back to the forefront as a viable option for this offense.
The running game should be the main focus going forward in Todd Monken’s offense. It will take a solid running back with Judkins and Dylan Sampson, with a dose of Rocket Sanders thrown in. The offensive line is redesigned for the run game, and guys love to run block. This does cut down on the number of passes thrown.
But the passing game still needs to be successful and prevalent when called upon. The ideal situation would be for the rushing attack to consume 65%-70% of plays. Whether that becomes true for each game will be determined as the season rolls along. He is the guy who can rush 23-25 carries a game and take on that workload.
The player who will be this year’s offensive “X-factor” is running back Quinshon Judkins.
The offense will get back to featuring two tight end sets. That requires two exceptional bodies to man the positions.
The passing game needs to be the complement and not the focus. In order to do this, the offense will require qualified pass catchers and a running back who can control the clock.
Judkins had a good year before he became injured in the Week 16 loss to the Buffalo Bills. What happened at that point was that he was the darling of the RB room. But he suffered a dislocated ankle and also fractured his fibula. The injuries placed him on IR, thus ending his season.
In-game action after Q became injured, the offense’s run game almost completely collapsed.
- Buffalo: Rocket Sanders, 11 carries for 42 yards, plus Shedeur Sanders’ 4 carries for 49 yards
- Pittsburgh: Three runners, 21 carries for 58 yards, plus Sanders’ 4 carries for 20 yards
- Cincinnati: Four runners, 21 carries for 94 yards, plus Sanders’ 3 carries for 24 yards
It is realized that the MVP of the offense will either become TE Harold Fannin or whoever becomes the starting quarterback. Nobody is disputing this. But it is Q who will become the juice to get the offense’s motor going.
Judkins didn’t even make the NFL All-Rookie roster, and may have a problem staying healthy. He came to Cleveland as a huge playmaker, but is his health going to be an issue every season?
The bonus with Judkins is that he is an outstanding pass catcher with size. He was utilized often in the passing game with 36 targets, 26 receptions for 171 yards, and 7 first-down conversions. Judkins is a willing blocker, although his technique needs improvement and more tutelage. But all of these qualities have illustrated that he is a complete player and willing to do the dirty work.
In just 14 games, Judkins had 827 rushing yards on 230 carries, 50 first-down conversions, and scored 7 touchdowns. In comparison, in Nick Chubb’s rookie season, he rushed for 996 yards on 192 carries, scored 8 TDs, and had 47 first-down conversions.
The offensive line has been revamped, so this should allow each runner the ability to find holes and gaps this year. His injury last year was nasty, so how ready he’ll be to go full speed by the start of camp is merely a guess at this point. When completely healthy, the focal point of the offense will become Judkins and the run game.
Straight up: The offense is dependent upon Judkins to make the run game successful.
