The Browns came into Thursday highly expected to select Travis Hunter at No. 2 overall. They chose not to.
Cleveland traded down from its second overall pick just as the 2025 NFL Draft got underway. The team's decision came as a surprise, as Hunter was one of the most coveted players in the draft after winning the 2024 Heisman Trophy.
Now, Hunter is heading to Jacksonville, which orchestrated a last-minute deal to draft the two-way star, while Cleveland instead took a star Michigan defender at No. 5 overall.
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Here's why the Browns opted to trade down rather than draft Hunter.
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Why didn't the Browns draft Travis Hunter?
Ultimately, the Browns pushed their decision on Hunter to the last minute, and it was a matter of preference.
On one hand, Hunter would have given Cleveland an immediate star, whether he was a defensive player, a receiver, or both. But for a franchise that needs help beyond just wide receiver or cornerback, the Browns chose to stack some assets.
In the trade with the Jaguars, the Browns moved down to No. 5 overall, where they will still be able to select one of the draft's elite players in Michigan DT Mason Graham.
Graham will join Myles Garrett on a strong defensive line for Cleveland, improving the team's pass rush while adding draft picks in the process.
In the trade, Cleveland also acquired a second-round selection in this year's draft, a 2026 first-round pick, and more draft capital. While only moving down three picks, the thinking behind the Browns' trade is likely to stack draft picks — that could possibly be used to trade back up in the first round of this year's draft — while still being able to select an elite talent at No. 5 in Graham. The 2026 first-round pick also gives flexibility in a draft that's expected to be loaded with QB talent.
Browns GM Andrew Berry said they felt like the trade was "the right move" because of the value, per Cameron Wolfe. Berry added that he believes the team added a "blue-chip guy" in Graham, a high pick in this year's draft and a 2026 first-rounder in a draft that the team feels will be stronger than 2025.
The late trade likely came as a surprise to Hunter, who said he had no conversations with the Jaguars since the combine.
Per Schefter, it was only the third time in history that while one was on the clock, two teams in the top five traded picks.
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Browns-Jaguars trade details
Here are the full trade of the Cleveland-Jacksonville deal:
Browns acquire:
- 2025 No. 5 overall pick (selected Mason Graham)
- 2025 second-round pick (No. 36 overall)
- 2025 fourth-round pick (No. 126 overall)
- 2026 first-round pick, via Jaguars
Jaguars acquire:
- 2025 No. 2 overall pick (selected Travis Hunter)
- 2025 fourth-round pick (No. 104 overall)
- 2025 sixth-round pick (No. 200 overall)