Could the Browns receive an offer they can’t refuse for the No. 2 pick?

Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984 …

It’s one thing for GM Andrew Berry to accept calls seeking the No. 2 overall pick in the draft. It’s another if he were making the calls.

The report on Tuesday by ESPN’s Peter Schrager that shook the tranquility of a (so far) trade-free draft order in the first round explicitly stated that Berry is fielding inquiries about the No. 2 pick. 

Per sources. 

Same with the No. 3 pick owned by the New York Giants, per Schrager.

I don’t believe Berry is shopping the pick. He wouldn’t be doing his job, however, if he didn’t listen to offers for the pick.

Since the Tennessee Titans publicly have stated they will use the No. 1 pick (presumably on Miami QB Cam Ward) and won’t trade it, the Browns’ No. 2 pick essentially sits at the top of the draft.

And, as such, Berry should command a premium for the consensus top player in the draft, Colorado two-way unicorn Travis Hunter.

I always felt a short trade-down was a viable option for Berry. Now that the draft process is complete and Hunter’s value has been thoroughly calculated by the Browns, they can attach a value to what it would cost to give up the pick.

Further, the fact teams are calling the Browns, rather than the other way around, gives Berry even more leverage to ask for the moon.

Berry should command a “Godfather offer” for the pick – an offer the Browns can’t refuse. What would make up a Godfather offer?

First of all, Berry should not fall out of the top five, in my opinion. That would limit the trade partners to New England at No. 4 and Jacksonville at No. 5. Conceivably, both covet Hunter.

I don’t care what the various trade value charts say on a trade like this. My price would automatically include a No. 1 in 2026, plus a No. 1 and No. 2 this year.

Thus, with New England, the price for No. 2 overall would be No. 4 overall and No. 38 overall this year, PLUS New England’s No. 1 in 2026.

With Jacksonville, the price would be No. 5 overall and No. 36 overall this year, PLUS Jacksonville’s No. 1 in 2026.

(Because of the configuration of the second round, and the respective projected finishes of each team in 2025, trading with Jacksonville down to No. 5 actually would be more beneficial to the Browns than trading with New England down to No. 4.)

Either “Godfather” offer probably would be laughed at by the Patriots and Jaguars. So be it.

If either accepted, however, what player should Berry choose with the No. 4 or No. 5 pick?

First, I would eliminate all defensive options and consider only offensive players.

The Browns must upgrade their offense in the draft. That’s why Hunter would be the only consideration if Berry stays at No. 2. (No quarterback is worthy there.) Hunter’s unique potential to play receiver and cornerback is merely a bonus in my opinion. If he were only a receiver, he would be my pick.

So if the Browns dropped down to No. 4 or No. 5, the only offensive players to consider, in my opinion, would be Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell, Penn State tight end Tyler Warren, and Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan.

And that would make it an easy decision – Jeanty, a Heisman finalist who rushed for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns in the fall.

Then the Browns could use their two No. 2 picks – No. 33 and No. 36/38 – on their developmental quarterback and a tight end or offensive tackle.

Plus, there’s the 2026 No. 1 to put in the bank.

So go ahead, Patriots or Jaguars … make the Browns an offer they can’t refuse.

Any trade offer that does not include a No. 1 in 2026 should be kindly declined by Berry. Which is why Hunter still is the most likely player to be chosen first by the Browns on Thursday night.