After the Cleveland Browns’ 3-14 season, they find themselves with the No. 2 pick in the NFL Draft.
After an Achilles injury to controversial quarterback Deshaun Watson – an injury that is now expected to sideline him even longer than anticipated – many expect the Browns to draft a quarterback in the upcoming draft. … Whether it be Cam Ward from Miami or Sheduer Sanders from Colorado.
However, PFF has a different idea for the Browns at No. 2 – a different Colorado player … Heisman winner and two-way phenom Travis Hunter.
Hunter won the Heisman in a highly debated race, beating out Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty.
Hunter led the Big 12 with 96 receptions and 15 touchdowns as a receiver, while also contributing four interceptions, 11 pass deflections, a forced fumble and 36 tackles as a cornerback.
Trevor Sikkema of PFF broke down the potential pick.
“The Browns getting the No. 2 pick means that a quarterback could be in play. I also like the idea of them exploring all options to trade down, especially if they don’t take a quarterback here (I would not). But with this being our first mock with the solidified non-playoff draft order, I didn’t want to do any trade-downs. Instead, I stay true to the big board and give the Browns the best playmaker in the draft in Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter.
Hunter was the third-highest-graded cornerback (90.6) and the sixth-highest-graded receiver (89.0) in the FBS. He could legitimately play on both sides of the ball in Cleveland. I would slot him in full time at cornerback with about 10-15 plays at receiver each week.”
The Browns struggled on both sides of the ball this year, with the lowest-scoring offense and fifth worst defense in the NFL. Hunter could be a contributor on both sides for the Browns. He could complement Jerry Jeudy nicely in select packages, and would certainly bolster a Browns secondary that only had three takeaways this season.
But he wouldn’t be a quarterback.