While there is no question that the matter of getting first-team Browns reps for quarterback Shedeur Sanders has been the topic of an excess of discussion in Cleveland in recent weeks, there is also no question that he figures to benefit greatly from working with the ones as he prepares for the much-awaited first start of his NFL career. And one of those ones happens to be a fellow rookie–running back Quinshon Judkins.
In nine games this season, despite playing behind a subpar offensive line and without a credible passing game in front of him, Judkins has gone for 620 yards and five touchdowns, with an average of 3.9 yards per carry.
He also has had no fumbles, and hopes to keep it that way as he adjust now to taking handoffs from Sanders, his third quarterback this season.
“Reps. A lot of reps helps,” Judkins said. “That’s one of those things, especially a quarterback and a running back, always together in the backfield. The more reps you get, the better you get.”
Quinshon Judkins: ‘Shedeur Is Very Talented’
Judkins did express confidence in Sanders and his ability to run the offense. He said that practice this week, heading into Sunday’s game against the Raiders, went smoothly.
“Shedeur is very talented,” Judkins said at practice this week. “The process has been fast, he learns fast. Nothing was an issue for him. Just go out there and just execute and be the leader that he is.”
The Raiders have allowed an average of 3.8 yards per carry this season, which ranks No. 2 in the NFL, and marks one of the few things the team does consistently well. But Judkins pointed out that he has faced tough defenses throughout the season.
“This is the NFL,” he said. “You are playing against the best of the best every Sunday. So every Sunday I feel like it is a challenge for us to go out there and play like we can.”
Browns Hoping to Make Shedeur Sanders Comfortable
Browns offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, who took over as the team’s play-caller two weeks ago, said that one of the goals of this week in practice was simply making Sanders comfortable. The team is trying–perhaps futilely, given how much attention this start will get nationally–to take pressure off Sanders.
Judkins can help with that.
“Certainly don’t try to put any sort of expectation on guys, especially young players. You know, I think we’re about our process and about what drives that process,” Rees said. “Certainly, you look at having a full week of prep, a full week of game planning, a full week of him being in the forefront of your mind as a coach. And he knows that as a player, you hope that all those things benefit and come to fruition on Sunday.
“Expectations – I would say we try to limit those. It’s more about, ‘Hey, we’re going to pour this whole week into making sure that you feel comfortable and confident’, and our goal and our job is to make sure that he gets that feel and gets ready to go on Sunday.”
Browns Landed Quinshon Judkins in 2nd Round
At 620 yards this season, Judkins rates as the No. 1 rookie running back in the NFL, again an impressive stat considering how badly things have gone elsewhere in the Browns offense. Judkins rates No. 14 in yardage per game in the league, at 68.9 yards.
Judkins, a second-round pick, has outplayed No. 6 overall pick Ashton Jeanty of the Raiders, who has 554 yards in 10 games.
“It means a lot,” Judkins said of his position as the top rookie RB in the league. “I am not doing it by myself, there is the O-line and the coaches are putting me in a good position. I just know that I can be a lot better, and I go out there and improve myself every week.”
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