Dylan Sampson

Sampson totaled only 44-65 carries for 116-175 yards and zero TDs in 2025, averaging 2.7 yards per carry. Despite rookie status, he failed to establish himself over Jerome Ford or earn consistent role over established veterans.

Sampson finished 2025 with only 65 carries for 175 yards (2.7 YPC) and zero TDs behind Quinshon Judkins (827 yards, 7 TDs). Jerome Ford is a free agent but Raheim Sanders remains, and depth chart shows Sampson currently listed as RB1 only due to Judkins' IR status.

Sampson averaged just 2.3-2.7 yards per carry on limited volume (44-65 attempts depending on source) in his rookie season. He struggled on the ground despite college pedigree as 2024 SEC Offensive Player of the Year with 22 TDs.

Quinshon Judkins is the unquestioned RB1 and is on track to return healthy for 2026 training camp after his Week 16 ankle fracture. Sampson's path to meaningful standalone touches is almost entirely gated by a Judkins setback.

Judkins underwent successful surgery for fractured fibula/dislocated ankle with 4-6 month recovery expected by June 2026. Recent reports indicate he's still in a heavy walking boot in early February, raising concerns about his Week 1 availability and potentially limiting Sampson's window.

Judkins' anticipated full recovery materially reduces the RB1 window that made Sampson compelling in early offseason. His dynasty value is heavily contingent on Judkins suffering a setback, which is a coinflip catalyst rather than a baseline expectation.

At 21 years old, Sampson has 6+ years before typical RB decline begins; buying now captures his full peak earning potential in dynasty leagues.

If Judkins' fibula fracture and ankle dislocation require extended 2026 recovery, Sampson could inherit significant early-season volume as a change-of-pace or even primary back while Judkins rehabilitates.

With Judkins' rehab reportedly not progressing smoothly (still in heavy boot) and Jerome Ford now a free agent, Sampson could enter 2026 training camp as the lead back if Judkins isn't ready for Week 1. Todd Monken's power-spread scheme emphasizes bellcow backs.

Judkins missed two games in 2025 with his ankle fracture and has an established injury history. If he misses time in 2026, Sampson steps directly into a Todd Monken run-heavy offense that ranked 1st in NFL rushing under Monken's Ravens tenure — a high-leverage handcuff role.

Sampson's 2.01 YPRR ranked 2nd among all NFL RBs in 2025, and he caught 33-of-40 targets for 271 yards and 2 TDs. This receiving profile is a dynasty differentiator — it keeps him roster-worthy even in a timeshare and makes him dangerous in PPR formats regardless of the backfield split.

Judkins is still rehabbing a serious leg injury; any setback or re-injury would hand Sampson a clear three-down lead role, the single biggest swing factor in his dynasty value.