Rookie RB looking to make the most of a new opportunity in Cleveland.
The Cleveland Browns entered 2025 with a clear plan on how to fix an offense that was unwatchable in 2024.
The first step was to clean out the quarterback room, which now features veteran Joe Flacco, and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. Oh, and Bailey Zappe is back on the practice squad as a “break glass in case of emergency” option for Week 18.
The next step was to attack the running game, which had taken a step back in the past two seasons due to running back Nick Chubb’s injuries. General manager Andrew Berry added a pair of rookies in the 2025 NFL Draft in Dylan Sampson and Quinshon Judkins, while keeping Jerome Ford around on a reduced contract in case something happened with the rookies.
That something turned into Judkins getting into legal trouble, which has kept him unsigned and away from the club throughout training camp and the preseason. While the expectation is that Judkins will eventually sign, when that will happen and what discipline he may face from the NFL remains a question.
Undeterred, Berry was back at it this week as the Browns added running back Raheim Sanders on waivers from the Los Angeles Chargers.
A preseason favorite after rushing for 101 yards and two touchdowns, the Chargers reportedly were open to signing Sanders to the practice squad before the Browns claimed him.
Sanders spent three seasons at Arkansas before transferring to South Carolina for his senior year. In 44 games, he rushed for 3,111 yards and averaged 5.4 yards per carry with 28 rushing touchdowns. He added 76 receptions with an average of 10.1 yards per catch, while pulling in five receiving touchdowns.
The 6-foot and 230-pound Sanders wasted no time in getting to Cleveland as he was at practice on Thursday. And he is on board with the plan to get back to a strong running game:
“I feel like I fit well here. I feel like I’ve got everything when it comes down to being a running back. I feel like when it comes down to pass protection, running the ball, power, speed, making someone miss, I feel like I got it all.”
And with the opening game of the season a little more than a week away, Sanders is focusing on getting up to speed on the playbook:
“I’m just taking it a day at a time. My first day here, trying to get the offense down. I’m not worried about the Bengals (season opener) right now. I’m worrying about getting ready for this offense and learning and just learning everybody’s names and everything like that.”
The plan to fix the running game may not have gone exactly as planned due to Judkins’ off-field issues.
But if Sanders can fill in until Judkins returns, the Browns may find themselves with a trio of rookie backs who will make opposing defenses feel the impact of a solid ground game.
Category: General Sports
