Raheim Sanders

Cleveland's RB room is crowded with Nick Chubb (injury recovery), Jerome Ford, and potentially external free agent additions. Sanders has not established himself as the clear lead back despite opportunity.

Sanders sits third in a fully stocked CLE backfield behind Judkins (4907 value, returning healthy from W16 ankle surgery) and Sampson (2619 value, established as the designated backup). There is no organic path to carries unless two players ahead of him miss time simultaneously.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski and GM Andrew Berry's statuses are uncertain heading into 2026 offseason, creating major potential for roster overhaul that could further diminish Sanders' path to playing time.

Sanders is an undrafted free agent signed off waivers in late August 2025. With no established role or guaranteed contract, he faces significant roster bubble risk heading into 2026 offseason.

Four career games, 5.1 PPG, and a 42% snap-share ceiling that was entirely injury-driven in W17. Sanders has never earned touches in a healthy backfield — his entire usage profile is borrowed from Judkins' misfortune.

Judkins' dislocated ankle/broken fibula is healing ahead of schedule — boot off, pool running, on the field at OTAs and tracking to Week 1 — which closes off the injury-vacancy path that gave Sanders any near-term value.

If Nick Chubb is released or traded due to injury/age, Sanders could inherit a substantial bellcow workload in an improving Browns offense with Deshaun Watson.

Sanders showed flashes of receiving utility and vision late in 2024. With opportunity in a system that may evolve, he could develop into a 3-down back if Ford is also moved.

Judkins remains in a walking boot as of February 2026 with questions about Week 1 availability. If recovery extends into early season, Sanders could see temporary RB2/RB3 snaps alongside Sampson.

Ankle fractures and dislocations carry meaningfully elevated re-injury risk in the first year back. A Judkins setback would instantly elevate Sanders to at minimum 1B duties in a run-heavy scheme projected to generate high RB volume under OC Travis Switzer.

New OC Travis Switzer arrives from Baltimore with a ground-and-pound philosophy. Even depth backs in a truly run-first system accumulate touches — if Sanders survives final cuts, his floor as a handcuff improves in this offensive identity.

Todd Monken's staff inherits Sanders without prior sunk-cost attachment. A standout preseason campaign could earn him genuine handcuff status and roster security heading into the year, particularly given Jerome Ford (1297) offers no real competition at the fourth spot.