Browns' Travis Hunter trade sets up possible Arch Manning draft pick to solve QB woes

The Cleveland Browns stunned everybody by trading down from No. 2 to No. 5, bypassing Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter. It was the Jacksonville Jaguars who jumped from No. 5 to No. 2 and selected Hunter with plans to play him on both sides of the ball. 

It was quite a move for both sides. The Jaguars land a legitimate two-way superstar, and the Browns on not only Hunter but also Penn State EDGE Abdul Carter to move down and select Michigan DT Mason Graham. 

Well, it took a lot for the Jaguars to move up. 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 a sixth-round pick (No. 200). 

However, it might work out swimmingly in the Browns' favor. Bill Bender named the Browns as one of his winners of the first round, and he even said it could be a potential Arch Manning destination. 

"Now, Cleveland has two first-round picks in 2026 – when Texas' Arch Manning could be in play. The Browns still have two years left on the Deshaun Watson contract, and the best way to offset that is with draft picks."

So, in a dream world that doesn't seem too farfetched now, the Browns grab Arch Maning in the 2026 NFL Draft and have another pick to play with if things work out in their favor. It's very early, but the small glimpses of Manning's talent has everybody buzzing about his potential. 

A year from now, this trade from the Browns could be a franchise-changing move that finally solves their revolving door at the quarterback position. 

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