But there's a huge hill to climb for the Browns, who after scratching their way to 11 wins and a playoff berth in 2023 careened back to earth last season, tying for the league's worst record. There's a QB conundrum to untangle, with Deshaun Watson likely out for the season and Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett joined in the room by rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders .

At running back, too, there's huge shoes to fill after the Nick Chubb era appears to have come to an end . It didn't garner as much attention, overshadowed by Cleveland selecting Gabriel in the third round before ending Sanders' draft slide a day later, but the team also double-dipped at RB. Cleveland took Judkins at No. 36 overall, and two rounds later added Tennessee's Dylan Sampson .

Those two figure to lead the charge in the new-look backfield alongside Jerome Ford .

It's a familiar situation for Judkins, who formed one of college's most dangerous duos sharing the rock with TreVeyon Henderson last season. He was considered more of a bruiser in that pairing, an aggressive runner who lacked top-end speed.

He's not one to give much credence to outside voices and analysis, though, opting instead to let his past play do the talking as he gears up to add more to his résumé.

"I really don't listen to the good or bad," Judkins said. "That's just how I was raised, that's part of my upbringing, just dialed in and focused as an athlete. The people who know me, who recruited me, they know I have a lot of accomplishments. Freshman of the Year SEC, everything. Turn on the tape. It shows. I do everything as a player. Complete running back, every-down running back, catch, block, run 80 yards, 90 yards, whatever you want me to do, I'll do it. I'm just excited to do it at the next level."

However the backfield carries ultimately shake out, Judkins' figures to feature prominently given his talent and second-round status.