The next test for the emerging run defense of the Green Bay Packers will be an impressive rookie ready for more snaps and touches on Sunday. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Cleveland Browns are set to start second-round pick Quinshon Judkins at running back after he rushed for 61 yards on only 10 carries in his NFL debut last week. Rapoport reports Judkins is “ready for more of a work load” on Sunday.
The Packers have allowed only 97 rushing yards on 41 attempts through two games to start the 2025 season, including only 34 yards on designed runs in Week 2 and only 19 yards on nine carries to Jahmyr Gibbs in the opener. Jeff Hafley’s defense ranks second in both rushing yards allowed and yards per carry (2.7) allowed, trailing only the Browns in both categories.
Stopping Judkins — who is hoping to spark Cleveland’s struggling run game — is up next.
Per PFF, Judkins created 57 yards after first contact, broke two tackles and had a 31-yard run last week against the Baltimore Ravens. Three of his 10 rushing attempts created first downs, and he also caught three passes. While Jerome Ford and Dylan Sampson combined for 10 rushing attempts last week, Judkins could handle most of the running back touches this week against the Packers.
Judkins’ 31-yard run is Cleveland’s only run of 10 or more yards this season. While Judkins averaged 6.1 yards per attempt against the Ravens, Ford and Sampson combined for just 74 yards on 28 attempts (2.6 yards per attempt) during the first two weeks.
Judkins, the 36th overall pick, ran the 40-yard dash in 4.48 seconds (1.51-second 10-yard split) and hit 38.5″ in the vertical leap and covered 11-0 in the broad jump at 6-0 and 221 pounds at the NFL Scouting Combine. He is a terrific athlete with an appetite for contact, so the Packers defense needs to be ready to rally to the football to get the rookie on the ground consistently on Sunday.
The Packers can reasonably expect Judkins to get the majority of the touches on early downs, with Sampson and Ford subbing in as required.
Judkins was the final member of the 2025 NFL draft class to sign a rookie contract after he was arrested in Florida in July. Charges were dropped, and Judkins signed his deal in September before the start of the regular season. He did not play in the Browns’ regular season opener against the Cleveland Browns.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers elite run defense to face rookie starter at RB for Browns
Reporting by Zach Kruse, Packers Wire / Packers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
