While the quarterback competition continues dominating headlines throughout training camp, Todd Monken has found himself increasingly impressed by a different kind of weapon developing within his offense. Dylan Sampson has quietly built a reputation as one of the more dynamic pass catching threats out of the backfield, and Monday’s practice offered another clear example of exactly why the head coach has taken notice. Monken offered genuinely enthusiastic praise for what Sampson brings to this offense as a receiving option, along with real optimism about how that role could continue expanding as the season approaches.
“He’s electric with the ball in his hands. So how do we get that to him? I think over time he’s going to be a guy that’s a tough matchup. He’s learning how to, wasn’t really what they did at Tennessee. Great point where we can get him to, when he gets matched up on a linebacker, be an advantage for us. I think he has that in him. You saw the catch he made on the sideline on a scramble here a week ago. So, there’s a lot there to like now as we get to practice and get into games,” Monken said.
Monday’s practice backed up exactly what Monken described, with Sampson serving as a heavily featured target throughout every phase of team drills. Shedeur Sanders found him on a short pass for a solid gain during a red zone period before locating him again in space on the right side of the field during a later session. Deshaun Watson also got in on the production, connecting with Sampson along the left sideline for a touchdown during red zone work. Sanders closed out the final team period of the day with yet another completion to Sampson, giving the running back a role in nearly every significant passing sequence Cleveland ran during Monday’s session.
Adding another dynamic weapon to an already crowded and talented backfield gives Cleveland’s offense real versatility heading into the regular season, particularly for whichever quarterback ultimately wins the ongoing competition. Both Watson and Sanders have shown a willingness to target Sampson early and often. With running back Quinshon Judkins already established as a core piece of this offense, having a change of pace threat like Sampson capable of consistently winning as a receiver gives Cleveland’s coaching staff another layer of unpredictability to work with as the offense continues rounding into form.
With Thursday’s joint practice against Buffalo and Saturday’s preseason home opener still to come, expect Monken and his staff to continue finding creative ways to get Sampson involved as this offense builds toward the regular season.
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