There is a strong case to be made that the Cleveland Browns had the best 2025 NFL Draft class. While they might not have their franchise quarterback in Dillon Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders, the other players have all been great.
One of the more prominent names in this draft class was second-round running back Quinshon Judkins. He's been a great player for Cleveland this season, and if it weren't for a brutal broken leg, he would've finished the year strong.
But, despite his strong season, Judkins is not ESPN analyst Ben Solak's top rookie running back for 2025. Instead, that honor goes to Judkins' fellow Ohio State RB, and New England Patriots 2nd-rounder, TreyVeyon Henderson.
Browns' Quinshon Judkins loses All-Rookie honor from ESPN to Ohio State teammate
While Solak easily put Henderson as the top rookie running back this season, thanks to his explosive plays for a 13-3 Patriots team, the second-team rookie RB was a lot more difficult to decide on.
"I have the nod to Henderson's college teammate, Judkins, because he ran tough and minimized negatives behind a floundering offensive line and without any supporting passing game to create space for him," Solak writes.
Judkins finished his 2025 rookie season with a broken leg, but not before he put together an impressive rookie year. On 230 carries, he ran for 827 yards, seven touchdowns, and added 171 receiving yards on 26 receptions.
He didn't have much of a chance behind the banged-up Browns' offensive line, and with a rotation of quarterback play that's been subpar, the overall offensive environment wasn't enough to give him a chance to have big games.
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In the three wins the Browns have had this season, each one featured a strong game from Judkins. Against the Green Bay Packers, he ran for 94 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. Against the Miami Dolphins, he scored three TDs on 25 attempts for 84 yards.
Finally, against the Las Vegas Raiders, Judkins scored two touchdowns with 47 yards on 16 carries. He wasn't getting a lot of yards per attempt this season, especially in the weeks leading up to his injury, but he was a productive runner for Cleveland.
A full season, with a healthy and decent offense around him, and Judkins would easily be a 1,000-yard rusher with double-digit TDs.
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