Returning to the Browns were the No. 5 pick (DT Mason Graham), No. 36 pick (RB Quinshon Judkins) and Jacksonville’s 2026 first-rounder.
But the Browns didn’t get Travis Hunter. And for those worried that might come back to bite Cleveland in the butt, the early returns say they might be right.
Hunter is playing both ways this week for the Jags at OTAs, and he’s shining bright.
Here’s a perspective on him defensively:
“I think he’s pretty good,” defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile said. “Fired up to have him out there, and he did a very good job getting out there. He’s doing extra every day, so I have a ton of respect for everything that he’s done to this point.”
And here’s a perspective on him from superstar QB Trevor Lawrence:
“Got a lot of juice. He can run all day,” Lawrence said. “He’s like a kid, he doesn’t get tired it seems like. You can’t have enough of that.
“As far as talent, it speaks for itself, ball skills, run after the catch, he’s very explosive. I didn’t realize how explosive he was in and out of cuts. He’s impressive to watch. We’ve gotten to connect a couple times, it’s only going to get better and better.”
NFL players aren’t supposed to be praise-worthy on offense and defense.
Hunter is a different player than has ever been in the NFL before.
He won the Heisman Trophy by going two-way and playing almost every snap for Colorado. He was probably the best wide receiver and the best cornerback in this draft, independent of each other, and just so happens to do both.
If the Browns get a franchise QB thanks to the Jags’ 2026 first-round pick, then maybe it’s OK.
But if that pick doesn’t end up as high as expected, Hunter looks like he might make Cleveland regret not taking the best player in the draft, and one of the most unique players in the history of the NFL.