DylanSampson

News: 2 days agoSampson rushed eight times for 21 yards while catching three of six targets for 27 yards during Sunday's 23-22 overtime loss against the Saints.

Spin: Sampson toted the rock a season-high eight times, but he averaged a minimal 2.6 yards per carry. The running back remained heavily involved in the passing game, tying wide receiver KC Concepcion for second on the team in targets behind wideout Denzel Boston (seven). Sampson has now reeled in three or more passes in three straight games, and he figures to remain most valuable as a pass catcher for fantasy managers ahead of the team's Week 10 matchup with Houston.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Sampson is back for Year 2 in Cleveland after an underwhelming rookie campaign in which he struggled on a small sample of work as a rusher (his 2.69 yards per carry was dead last among 65 qualified backs), but was a contributor in the passing game (23rd among RBs with 33 receptions). Sampson was a young rookie (he doesn't turn 22 until September), so there's still some room for growth, and he's positioned for a larger role behind Quinshon Judkins with Jerome Ford no longer on the roster. Expect Sampson to see some change-of-pace carries and a moderate pass-catching role in 2026. He'll land on the flex radar only if Judkins misses time.