Rookie Spotlight: Quinshon Judkins, RB Ohio State

Height: 5-11 ½”
Weight: 221
Hands: 9 ¼”
Arm: 30 ¼”
40 yard dash: 4.48
2025 Age: 22
NFL Comparison: Zach Charbonnet, Marshawn Lynch
Other RW Staff Comps: Nick Chubb, Marion Barber
Breakout Age: 18.84

Pros

– Prototypical size for a lead back
– 91st percentile speed score
– Quick first step
– Runs with vigor
– Instinctive
– Good vision
– Soft hands
– Excellent ball security
– Nose for the endzone
– Three 1,000-yard seasons in college
– One of the youngest breakout ages in the class

Cons

– Subpar pass protection
– Maybe too patient
– Middling YPC against tougher opponents
– Appears dominant after contact, but only has middling underlying analytics

Fantasy Outlook:

Judkins was stellar at OSU, running for over 1,000 yards and scoring 14 TDs in 2024, and that was playing alongside TreVeyon Henderson, which is no small feat. A hard charging runner who falls forward, Judkins fires out of the gate and is quick to the corner on outside runs. As an inside runner, he’s patient, sometimes too patient, but he waits for his blocks and uses his excellent downfield vision to pick his lanes. Judkins is an instinctive runner, who is efficient with his movement, and he keeps a good pad level that makes it hard to get a good angle on him when trying to bring him down. He also holds on to the ball, only losing it 3 times in over 800 touches.

As a pass catcher, Judkins has soft hands and doesn’t lose momentum at the catch point. He was underutilized in this department in college, and I hope that whoever takes him in the draft will implement him more as a receiver. Judson isn’t a gimmicky runner who uses agility for gains. He’s got a nice cutback, but he doesn’t try to avoid contact.This hasn’t been the best strategy against stronger opponents, as his YPC dropped into the 4’s against better teams, but he’s effective nonetheless.

The biggest knock against Judkins, and perhaps the one thing that could keep him from being a 3-down back in the NFL, is his lackluster pass-protection. He has the size to make inroads in that department, but it hasn’t been a major tool in his skill set thus far. Considering his impressive play strength, this is something that Judkins can learn over time though.

Judson’s powerful, slashing style makes him a joy to watch in the open field, and his penchant for scoring is endearing to say the least. If he can shore up his blocking, Judkins could easily find his way into a lead back role on a needy team. As is, he would be an explosive cog in a 1-2 backfield punch. He’s a cinch first-round rookie draft selection in dynasty with room for movement given landing spot.