Cleveland Browns 2026 training camp position preview: Running backs
Cleveland Browns 2026 training camp position preview: Running backs
Cleveland Browns 2026 training camp position preview: Running backsChris Easterling, Akron Beacon JournalFri, Jul 17, 2026·3 min read
BEREA ― The Browns are closing in on their first full-squad training camp practice. That will take place on July 29, one day after veterans report.
This continues our Browns training camp preview series looking at each of the team's position groups. This preview takes a look at a relatively young position group, but an important one — the running backs.
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Let's dive into the position group that will help establish a certain foundation for the Browns offense in 2026:
Cleveland Browns quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson take part in a passing drill during team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)Cleveland Browns wide receiver Luke Floriea jumps for a catch during team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)Cleveland Browns cornerback D'Angelo Ross tries to stop wide receiver Isaiah Bond during team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)Cleveland Browns linebacker Quincy Williams celebrates after a play during team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)Jimmy Haslam, Cleveland Browns owner, watches team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel wears number 8 as he takes part in a drill during team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)Cleveland Browns wide receiver Gage Larvadain runs after a catch during team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)Cleveland Browns tight end Joe Royer runs during team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)Cleveland Browns running back Raheim Sanders tries to evade cornerback Myles Bryant during team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken calls out to his players during team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson signals before the snap during team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders readies a pass Dduring team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)Cleveland Browns wide receiver Cedric Tillman, right, runs after a reception during team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins tries to get away from cornerback D'Angelo Ross as defensive end Alex Wright and linebacker Nathaniel Watson look on during team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders looks to pass during team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson hands off during team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)Cleveland Browns safety Christopher Edmonds tries to knock the ball from ight end Brenden Bates during team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken takes notes during team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders resides a pass during team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson throw a pass during team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)Cleveland Browns safety Christopher Edmonds takes part in a special teams drill during team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)Cleveland Browns Jared Verse (8) runs a drill as teammates defensive end Julian Okwara, Khordae Sydnor, Alex Wright and Adin Huntington look on during team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Dawand Jones and center Kingsley Eguakun walk off the field after team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken makes joke about the construction noise as he gets ready to address the media after team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken addresses the media after team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)1 / 25
Cleveland Browns OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus in Berea
Cleveland Browns quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson take part in a passing drill during team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)
Cleveland Browns OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus in Berea
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Luke Floriea jumps for a catch during team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)
Cleveland Browns OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus in Berea
Cleveland Browns cornerback D'Angelo Ross tries to stop wide receiver Isaiah Bond during team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)
Cleveland Browns OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus in Berea
Cleveland Browns linebacker Quincy Williams celebrates after a play during team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)
Cleveland Browns OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus in Berea
Jimmy Haslam, Cleveland Browns owner, watches team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)
Cleveland Browns OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus in Berea
Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel wears number 8 as he takes part in a drill during team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)
Cleveland Browns OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus in Berea
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Gage Larvadain runs after a catch during team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)
Cleveland Browns OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus in Berea
Cleveland Browns tight end Joe Royer runs during team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)
Cleveland Browns OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus in Berea
Cleveland Browns running back Raheim Sanders tries to evade cornerback Myles Bryant during team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)
Cleveland Browns OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus in Berea
Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken calls out to his players during team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)
Cleveland Browns OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus in Berea
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson signals before the snap during team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)
Cleveland Browns OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus in Berea
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders readies a pass Dduring team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)
Cleveland Browns OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus in Berea
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Cedric Tillman, right, runs after a reception during team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)
Cleveland Browns OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus in Berea
Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins tries to get away from cornerback D'Angelo Ross as defensive end Alex Wright and linebacker Nathaniel Watson look on during team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)
Cleveland Browns OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus in Berea
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders looks to pass during team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)
Cleveland Browns OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus in Berea
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson hands off during team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)
Cleveland Browns OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus in Berea
Cleveland Browns safety Christopher Edmonds tries to knock the ball from ight end Brenden Bates during team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)
Cleveland Browns OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus in Berea
Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken takes notes during team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)
Cleveland Browns OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus in Berea
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders resides a pass during team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)
Cleveland Browns OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus in Berea
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson throw a pass during team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)
Cleveland Browns OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus in Berea
Cleveland Browns safety Christopher Edmonds takes part in a special teams drill during team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)
Cleveland Browns OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus in Berea
Cleveland Browns Jared Verse (8) runs a drill as teammates defensive end Julian Okwara, Khordae Sydnor, Alex Wright and Adin Huntington look on during team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)
Cleveland Browns OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus in Berea
Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Dawand Jones and center Kingsley Eguakun walk off the field after team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)
Cleveland Browns OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus in Berea
Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken makes joke about the construction noise as he gets ready to address the media after team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)
Cleveland Browns OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus in Berea
Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken addresses the media after team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026. (Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)
What RBs are on Cleveland Browns 90-man roster entering 2026 training camp?
Davon Booth: At Mississippi State University in 2025
T.J. Harden: At Southern Methodist University in 2025
Quinshon Judkins: 14 games played, with 14 starts, 230 carries, 827 yards, 7 TDs; 26 catches, 171 yards in 2025
Ahmani Marshall: On Browns practice squad in 2025
Dylan Sampson: 15 games played, with 2 starts, 65 carries 175 yards; 33 catches, 271 yards, 2 TDs in 2025
Raheim "Rocket" Sanders: 4 games played, with 1 start, 27 carries, 92 yards, 1 TD; 3 catches, 21 yards in 2025
What is main 2026 training camp storyline for Cleveland Browns RBs?
Judkins missed all of training camp in 2025 because of an arrest last July in Florida involving a domestic violence charge that was eventually dropped by the state attorney's office. He finally signed the day before the season opener before making his debut in Week 2, the first of 14 games he played before a season-ending fractured fibula and dislocated ankle. Before the injury, Judkins was leading all rookie running backs in rushing yards. He was back on the field during OTAs and minicamp, and looked like the version the Browns drafted in the second round in 2025 out of Ohio State. The Browns need that version of Judkins, if not an even better version, in order for the offense to be what it needs to be in 2026.
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Cleveland Browns RB to keep an eye on during 2026 training camp
Sanders was a rookie the Browns were awarded off waivers after he was cut by the Los Angeles Chargers last August. He played in the opener against the Cincinnati Bengals, almost exclusively in short-yardage situations, scoring a touchdown in the process. Judkins' addition to the roster took snaps away from Sanders. He spent much of the season inactive on game day until after Judkins' injury. Sanders, who was one of the top running backs in the SEC when healthy at both Arkansas and South Carolina, has a full offseason to establish himself within the offense. That could lead to more carries.
How do Browns RBs emerge from 2026 training camp?
Judkins is clearly the No. 1 running back. Sampson didn't participate in any drills during the offseason because of an undisclosed injury, which allowed Sanders to potentially give himself a chance to take the No. 2 role. Sampson certainly has a potential role catching the ball out of the backfield, so that's something that could increase his playing time. Marshall, another physical runner, is the one who could play his way onto the roster with his physical running style.
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Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ. Sign up for Browns Insider newsletter at https://profile.beaconjournal.com/newsletters/browns-insider/