Browns a NFL Draft 'winner' despite trading out of Travis Hunter pick

The Cleveland Browns had the first wow moment of the 2025 NFL Draft. The Browns traded down from No. 2 to No. 5 in a blockbuster deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

That meant the Browns passed on Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter in a surprising turn of events. 

However, it might not be all bad for the Browns. They selected a defensive star in Michigan's Mason Graham while accumulating assets, and Sporting News' Bill Bender had the Browns as one of his winners of the first round. 

"The Browns pulled off an unexpected first-round trade. This wasn't exactly the fabled "Draft Day" finale, but it was a solid, aggressive first-round trade. The first-round pick flip took some of the guess-work out of the No. 2 pick. Will Browns general manager Andrew Berry get roasted for passing on Hunter first and then Sanders later?" Bender wrote. 

But, the haul the Browns got in return might be worth it, as Bender pointed out. 

"The Browns also got a haul in return. Jacksonville sent Cleveland their second-round pick (No. 36), fourth-round pick (No. 126) and their 2026 first-round pick. Jacksonville got a fourth-round pick (No. 104) and sixth-round pick (No. 200). Graham is an impact defensive tackle that should fare well with defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.  He becomes a play-it-safe top-five pick for a franchise plagued by first-round failures since 1999."

So, passing on the Heisman Trophy winner seems like a tough blow, but maybe it will work out in the end for Cleveland. 

MORE NFL DRAFT:

• Browns' Travis Hunter trade mistake could be a generational error
• Steelers' Aaron Rodgers pursuit down to 2 outcomes after Shedeur Sanders choice
• Giants trade back in to first round to get Jaxson Dart
• Giants' Abdul Carter comparison to Micah Parsons makes sense for 3 reasons
• Panthers commit to Bryce Young with Tetairoa McMillan pick