Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry has never been too shy to take a risk. He took a big one when he turned down the opportunity to draft Travis Hunter. In one of the most memorable moments of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Browns traded the No. 2 overall pick (which was used to take Hunter) to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a package that included two first-round picks.
One year later, the results clearly favored Cleveland. Hunter's rookie season was significantly limited by injuries, while Mason Graham, whom the Browns selected with the fifth pick in that draft, looked like a long-term starter for Cleveland's defensive line.
But Hunter is tipping the scales in his direction this season. While the Browns won't regret landing Graham and the haul of picks that came with him, Hunter is showing Berry exactly what he's missing.
Browns' Travis Hunter trade is looking worse by the day
The Jaguars shut down the two-way player experiment they had been conducting with Hunter, declaring this offseason that he would play primarily as a cornerback. They've held to that claim, giving the second-year star just 22 offensive snaps in five games.
It's working. Hunter is playing at an All-Pro level so far this year. He has instantly become Jacksonville's top cornerback, matching up with his opponent's top wideout each week. He's allowing a passer rating of just 70.6 when targeted, and he came up with a crucial interception against Joe Burrow in Week 4 to help the Jaguars to a win.
He has Jacksonville playing like a top-ten defense, helping fuel their 4-1 start and contender status early in the season.
Graham has been productive in his own right, already logging four sacks for Cleveland. Still, he hasn't been quite as impactful as Hunter has.
Comparing Hunter and Graham directly isn't entirely fair, as the Browns also added KC Concepcion, Quinshon Judkins, and Dylan Sampson with the picks they received in the trade.
That's a starting defensive tackle, a starting running back, a starting receiver, and a backup running back for the price of a star cornerback. Not a bad deal by any stretch.
If Berry were presented with the same trade again today, he might still take it in a heartbeat. But this trade no longer looks like the undeniable win for the Browns that it seemed to be just a few months ago.
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