• Quinshon Judkins achieved his goal: Judkins transferred to Ohio State in search of a national championship, successfully clinching it within his first season.
• Can Judkins take on a larger role beyond being a two-down back?: At Ohio State, Judkins was not frequently featured in passing scenarios, a trend that might continue depending on his NFL team selection.
• The 2025 NFL Draft season has arrived: Dive into the action with a top-notch Mock Draft Simulator to explore the leading prospects for 2025, whilst trading and drafting for your favorite football team!
Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes
This in-depth analysis series on fantasy football players gives you unparalleled insights for the 2025 season. Leveraging exclusive performance data, we dissect player dynamics, competition for touches, and the potential influence of teammates and coaching strategies on each player’s fantasy projections.
Last updated: 7:15 a.m. Tuesday, April 1
Player Performance
Judkins began his journey at Ole Miss as the featured running back, racking up an impressive average of over 120 yards per game during his inaugural season. After two successful years, he made the pivotal choice to transfer to Ohio State, aiming for that coveted national championship. He achieved this milestone, although he had to share the workload with fellow NFL hopeful TreVeyon Henderson. Despite fluctuations in volume stats over his three-year collegiate career, his efficiency metrics remained notably consistent, with his PFF rushing grade oscillating between 87.1 and 90.7.
A standout trait for Judkins throughout his career has been his ball security; he fumbled just a couple of times across three seasons, either as a runner or receiver. While he did not particularly shine in any specific circumstance, his performance was generally above average. Observations from scouting suggest that he may lack some creativity in his running style, often making the most of the frameworks provided by the offensive line. Depending on where he lands in the NFL, this could present challenges for his future effectiveness.
In pass protection, Judkins did not receive high grades, yet evaluators aspire to see greater pass-blocking capabilities in him. His usage as a receiver was limited throughout college, averaging around 10 receiving yards per game. During his stint at Ohio State, he saw fewer routes but demonstrated improved efficiency and consistently good grades when called upon.
Projected Role
The expectation is that Judkins’ main focus will be during early down situations, where he flourished in college. He was particularly effective during goal-line snaps, showcasing the size and speed to potentially become a primary early-down back in the NFL.
However, the key question remains: how effectively can he contribute to passing plays? While he showcased some skills at Ole Miss, his opportunities were limited at Ohio State, especially with Henderson sharing the field. Statistically, most running backs of Judkins’ dimensions (6 feet or taller and weighing over 220 pounds) tend to see fewer target opportunities on third downs. Last season, notable examples in the NFL were James Conner and Najee Harris, both of whom were not frequently tapped for third-down duties. While he might not consistently find himself on third downs, he could still participate in two-minute drills and catch passes during early downs.
Most Mocked Teams
Chicago Bears
The Bears present an ideal opportunity for any running back entering the draft. Judkins might fulfill the role previously held by David Montgomery in Ben Johnson’s offense, while D’Andre Swift or another player could take care of the Jahmyr Gibbs function. With a solid offensive line, Judkins is well-equipped to thrive. He is projected to be picked in the second or third round.
Dallas Cowboys
With the additions of Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders in free agency, Judkins has the potential to secure a significant role in the Cowboys’ offense, though it may require some adjustment time.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos appear poised to implement a running back committee, but there is a definite need for a lead back capable of absorbing a majority of the carries. Notably, Sean Payton’s running backs are typically involved in catching passes, even with limited playing time.
Bottom Line
Judkins is projected to primarily operate as a two-down back in the NFL, yet he possesses the potential to contribute in the passing game under optimal circumstances. His success hinges on being drafted by a team that has a need for a running back complemented by a reliable offensive line. If the stars align, Judkins could quickly become a starter for fantasy teams in his rookie season!
Footnotes
- Statistics are selected based on their predictive power for fantasy performance on a per-game or per-opportunity basis, highlighting player comparisons within the same position.
- “Opportunities” cover passing dropbacks, rushing attempts, and receiving route participation.
- Numbers indicated are either by season or reflective of the past three years. Only college data is pertinent for rookies, while non-rookies are solely represented by their NFL metrics—regardless of previous college experience within the last three years.
- Due to the disparity in competition level, most rookies can anticipate a decline from their historical performance metrics.
- Only FBS data for collegiate players and rankings is taken into account.
- Kneel-downs are excluded from rushing statistics to yield cleaner quarterback rushing rates.
- Color coding for tables in this article ranges from blue (indicating superior performance) to red (indicating poorer performance).
- All percentiles or color ratings reflect comparisons to other players with a substantial opportunity sample. Generally, the benchmark is one-third of the opportunities available. In cases of insufficient data, participants are still compared, even if results may not accurately reflect potential.
- Information about utilization classifications and their relevance can be accessed regarding running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends.