Quinshon Judkins Dynasty Value: Three-Down Profile With Fantasy Red Flags

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Quinshon Judkins burst onto the scene with a breakout freshman season at Ole Miss.

Two years and a national championship later, he enters the NFL Draft as one of the top running back prospects in the class.

Judkins solidified his status with a 4.48-second 40 time at 221 pounds, flashing the athletic profile of a potential future fantasy star.

But his profile isn't spotless. Let's look into the red flags that could impede his progress.

Quinshon Judkins Dynasty Values

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Quinshon Judkins Draft Profile

Quinshon Judkins Combine Results

COVID Defeats Production in Judkins' Recruiting Profile

Judkins played a limited role through his first two years at Pike Road High School in Alabama. But he took over the backfield as a junior, rushing for 1,482 yards and 25 touchdowns on 150 carries, and earning first-team all-state honors.

Despite the success, Judkins only received a three-star rating.

That should have improved during a senior season that included 1,534 rushing yards and 26 TDs. But COVID shutdowns in various places left recruiting rankings unchanged.

Many top prospects in this class -- such as Ashton Jeanty, Kaleb Johnson, and Damien Martinez -- faced similar situations.

Judkins Joins Kiffin, Then Takes Over the Backfield

Judkins committed to Ole Miss over Notre Dame and Auburn, drawn by HC Lane Kiffin’s explosive offense. He entered behind potential NFL prospect Zach Evans -- but quickly overtook him.

Judkins outproduced the incumbent over the first six games to seize the starting role. He then logged 22+ carries in each of the final seven games, exceeding 90 yards on the ground in each and racking up 8 TDs.

Judkins' performance earned him SEC Freshman of the Year honors.

Grinding Through the Slump; Gunning for a New Start

Judkins entered his sophomore season with high expectations but experienced a dip in nearly all metrics:

With a retooled O-line, the run game struggled to find space early in the season. 

Consequently, Judkins saw more use as a receiver, catching 22 passes for 149 yards and 2 TDs.

He also surpassed 100 rushing yards in five of his final seven games, setting the stage for his third and final season.

Then, he entered the transfer portal.

Thunder and Lightning: Judkins Finds His Fit at Ohio State

Ohio State HC Ryan Day consulted star RB TreVeyon Henderson before courting Judkins. Henderson supported the addition.

Judkins was excited about the prospect of teaming up with Henderson, as Day recalls:

Judkins committed to the Buckeyes to become the thunder to Henderson’s lightning. Running between the tackles didn’t always lead to outstanding statistical output.

Among the 31 running backs at the NFL Combine, Judkins’ 2024 ranked:

• 31st in yards over expected per attempt (-1.0)
• 26th in yards after contact per attempt (3.04)
• 24th in target share (5.8%)
• 14th in breakaway rate (9.1%)

But Judkins led his team in carries (194), rushing yards (1,060), and rushing TDs (14). Judkins also earned praise for his receiving, even though Henderson handled more of the passing-down work.

Judkins' Athleticism Matches the Hype

Judkins grabbed attention at the Combine by running a 4.48-second 40 time at 221 pounds. That gave him the fifth-best speed score among running backs at the event.

He also delivered the best Relative Athletic Score among RBs at 9.90. (See the graphic higher in this article for details.)

The athletic showcase likely secured Judkins' top-75 status in the NFL Draft.

Quinshon Judkins Highlights 

Games Watched: LSU (2023), Georgia (2023), Iowa (2024), Oregon (2024), Penn State (2024), Indiana (2024), Michigan (2024), Tennessee (2024), Oregon Playoff (2024), Texas (2024), Notre Dame (2024)

Built Like a Tank, Runs Like a Train

Ohio State recruited Judkins for his physicality and power between the tackles, and he didn’t disappoint. 

His low pad level and stout build allow him to run through weaker arm tackles and over unbalanced defenders.

He churns his legs through contact with outstanding balance to pick up extra yardage, even in traffic.

In this run against Iowa, Judkins embraces first-level contact. His legs keep moving through the tackle, maintaining balance and keeping his eyes on the second and third levels to plan his next move. 

Even at the end of the run, he picks up extra yardage with his power and balance. This type of play will have NFL offensive coordinators eager to add Judkins.

RB Hits the Hole Like a Missile

Judkins’ workouts demonstrate his burst and explosiveness, which are evident on film as well.

He accelerates rapidly to leverage his power at the line of scrimmage. This burst, combined with his 221-pound frame, makes him a nightmare for defenses when he finds a clean gap.

In this inside counter against Penn State, Judkins showcases his burst and explosiveness even when changing direction.

 As the gap opens, he wastes no time accelerating through, brushing off the LB's tackle attempt just past the line of scrimmage.

If Judkins joins a team with an offensive line capable of opening these holes, he should excel.

Judkins Turns Clutter Into Touchdowns

Judkins’ short-yardage role at Ohio State gave him the first opportunity to score in most goal-line situations. 

His instincts allow him to find the correct angle to power through for a score, even if the offensive line gets pushed backward. 

Judkins combines those instincts with his explosiveness and ability to navigate through traffic to master such opportunities.

On this play, Judkins’ explosiveness turns a potential hit in the backfield into no contact at all from the penetrating DT. 

He uses his agility to lean outside then inside, squeezing through a small hole for a clean TD. 

At worst, Judkins should find a goal-line role in the NFL.

He Ain't Great Outside the Tackles

Judkins struggled with outside runs at Ohio State. 

His hips tighten on sudden cuts, often leading him to take wider angles than necessary. 

This limitation diminishes many of his strengths, including his power and tackle-breaking ability.

On this outside pitch against Penn State, Judkins fails to outrun even the defensive tackle sliding across the line. 

He takes a wide angle upfield but lacks the same burst he shows on inside runs. His hips tighten as he attempts to cut, slowing him down and allowing defenders to catch up and bring him down for a loss.

This shortcoming could force a team to pair him with a complementary back who attacks the perimeter better. That would obviously limit Judkins' fantasy upside vs. a true three-down role.

Quinshon Judkins Team Fit: Los Angeles Chargers

Judkins thrives when running behind a gap-blocking offensive line that opens clear lanes for him to explode through. 

Unsurprisingly, the Chargers ranked among the top 10 in gap run rate last year (54%) under new OC Greg Roman.

Roman’s system leans on dives, counters, and off-tackle runs — precisely the types of plays that suit Judkins’ style.

He would initially split time with Najee Harris here, but Judkins' athleticism and scheme fit would give him a shot to overtake Harris before the end of 2025.

Dynasty Value Conclusion: Judkins Has RB1 Upside ... But RB3 Risk

Judkins may be the most situation-dependent running back among first- and second- rounders in this rookie class.

In the right offense — preferably one that leans on gap blocking — he'll present three-down potential. Judkins' tackle-breaking ability, athleticism, and downhill style could yield big yardage, especially behind a competent offensive line.

But in the wrong system — particularly one based on outside-zone concepts — Judkins might never see enough snaps to hit his ceiling.

Still, the potential payoff is attractive. He’s worth a mid-first-round pick in rookie drafts thanks to that upside. But keep the bust risk in mind if Judkins gets miscast.

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