3 Under-the-Radar Browns Players to Watch Ahead of 2026 Season
Dylan Sampson headlines a group of under-the-radar players that could have bigger roles than people realize in 2026.
Most of the NFL conversations revolve around the games' biggest stars and the Cleveland Browns are no different. Guys like Myles Garrett, Denzel Ward and Shedeur Sanders tend to steal the spotlight, but there are plenty of others who contribute to winning on a regular basis. This offseason has seen GM Andrew Berry overhaul the roster in some key areas, particularly on offense, where some key position battles are set to take place.
That extends across the roster, though, on defense and special teams. In the coming weeks and months, new head coach Todd Monken will be working towards finalizing an official depth chart ahead of the regular season. The pecking order for some of those groups is more obvious than others, but there are plenty of players who have flown under the radar to this point and figure to have more prominent roles that fans may realize.
There are the top three players who fall into that category. 1) Dylan Sampson, RB In a season condensed by a legal situation off the field and an unfortunate fibula fracture and dislocated ankle in Week 16, Quinshon Judkins was one of the lone bright spots in Cleveland's offense last season. He's the workhorse of the running back room and put together a promising rookie campaign and excitement around his future has left Sampson as more of an afterthought.
The Tennessee product obviously isn't the bruising, powerful runner that Quinshon tends to be, but provides a different look for Cleveland as more of a pass-catching back. Sampson flashed that last year by hauling in 33 receptions for 271 yards and two touchdowns. His ability to line up all over the formation is something Monken can really take advantage of, considering his propensity to deploy a variety of personnel grouping.