As RB Dylan Sampson ran towards the outside, he turned and caught a pass from QB Joe Flacco, then took off down the sideline for a gain of 12 yards to move the Browns down the field.
Over the course of his regular season debut against the Bengals, Sampson played an integral role in the success of the pass game and was officially named one of the six nominees for the Pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Week for Week 1.
Sampson caught all eight of his targets in Week 1, leading the Browns in receptions, for 64 receiving yards. Sampson displayed his shiftiness and how he could extend plays, as his longest catch of the day went for 14 yards. Sampson's average depth of target was -3.1 yards, catching a number of passes behind the line of scrimmage, but averaged 11.1 yards after the catch per reception and finished the day with a total of 89 yards after the catch.
He also paired his success in the pass game with 12 carries for 29 rushing yards, leading the team in rushing yards, for a total of 93 scrimmage yards.
"I thought he looked really good," Flacco said of Sampson following the Browns' 17-16 loss to the Bengals. "I mean, when you get him the ball in a little bit of space, the first guy wasn't making the tackle. And I think the amount that actually keeps you on the field, it keeps those chains moving, wears the defense out that extra a little bit. Makes sure they're running to the ball. I think that was the key for him, is just making that first guy miss. And I think he did that a lot."
Sampson was nominated for the Pepsi Zero Sugar NFL Rookie of the Week alongside Commanders RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Broncos RB RJ Harvey, Buccaneers WR Emeka Egbuka, Colts TE Tyler Warren and Bengals LB Demetrius Knight Jr.
Fans can vote for one of the six nominated players here and on the NFL Mobile app through Thursday at 11 a.m. ET to determine who will bring home the Pepsi® Zero Sugar NFL Rookie of the Week championship belt for Week 1.
After the regular season, six players will be nominated for Pepsi® Zero Sugar NFL Rookie of the Year honors. Fans can vote for the winner here throughout the month of January.
