Cleveland Browns Ripped for Polarizing NFL Draft Move

The Cleveland Browns have been blasted for a controversial NFL Draft move that now looks much more questionable.

Browns GM Andrew Berry, left, and coach Kevin Stefanski watch practice in training camp, Saturday, July 31, 2021, in Berea. | Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Cleveland Browns were in the news for the wrong reasons once again over the weekend, as rookie running back Quinshon Judkins was arrested on a domestic violence and battery charge.

The Browns selected Judkins in the second round of the NFL Draft and were hoping the Ohio State product would provide the club with an explosive, versatile weapon, but obviously, Judkins' future is now up in the air.

Cleveland is facing some criticism for the Judkins move, and Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports never liked the Browns' decision to nab Judkins on Day 2 back in April.

Drafting a RB with a Top 40 pick without a long-term solution at QB / while in rebuilding mode was bizarre in the first place https://t.co/SW58LDjY5P
— Chris Trapasso (@ChrisTrapasso) July 13, 2025

Trapasso does make a very salient point.

Running backs have largely become marginalized in the modern NFL, and while stars like Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry may have put the position back near the forefront last season, the fact remains that it is still one of the less imperative positions on the football field, at least in terms of having star power.

Now, to be fair, the Browns desperately needed help in their backfield this offseason, so they shouldn't be lambasted too heavily for taking Judkins. That being said, Cleveland was also in dire need of a wide receiver at the time of the draft, and the Browns didn't take a receiver at all.

Remember: Cleveland proceeded to select another halfback later in the draft, nabbing Dylan Sampson in the fourth round. Perhaps the Browns would have been better off taking one of the many terrific receivers on the board with the 40th pick and then circling back to take Sampson.

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