Browns roster: Analyzing how Cleveland’s RB room could shake out in 2026

CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 28: Dylan Sampson #22 of the Cleveland Browns carries the ball during the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Huntington Bank Field on December 28, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images One of the more underrated storylines throughout the summer and heading into the 2026 preseason could end up revolving around the running back position simply because of how important it is to the Todd Monken offense. It’s no secret that Monken relies very heavily on the run game when it comes to the success of his offense and how everything sequences off of each other.

We saw him utilize Derrick Henry beautifully over the past two seasons, and though Quinshon Judkins is only heading into year two in Cleveland, he’s shown the ability to be a workhorse-type player as a rookie. Seeing Judkins carry the ball 20 times every week shouldn’t surprise anyone, as it’s the players competing behind him that could make for an interesting development in 2026. The Browns’ new head coach was able to get the most out of guys like Gus Edwards , Justice Hill , and Keaton Mitchell (when healthy) over the past few seasons, and they all had a fairly legitimate role for the team depending on weekly game plans.

Just because a team has a true workhorse in the backfield doesn’t mean that the players behind them aren’t important, especially in Monken’s offense. He’s always kept four running backs on the roster plus a fullback, and there’s a very good chance that it’ll stay that way for Cleveland. Dylan Sampson is likely locked into the third-down role right now unless he forgets how to play football this year, which means that the team has to find two other legitimate options this summer.

The current ball-carriers on the roster behind those two are Raheim Sanders , Ahmani Marshall , and 2026 UDFA Davon Booth . UDFA RB T. J.