How much influence will Paul DePodesta (right) have on a possible Browns trade-down from the No. 2 draft position?
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
The longest Browns draft season in history was four years in the making.
Three years without a first-round pick have come to an end. It’s time to open your Christmas present, Browns fans, wrapped in the No. 2 overall draft pick. It’s an athletic unicorn by the name of Travis Hunter.
Unless …
GM Andrew Berry and the analytics department headed by Paul DePodesta reportedly might be weighing a possible trade-down offer from Jacksonville, which holds the No. 5 pick. The Jaguars covet Hunter, too, and their new football regime wants to make a splash.
Would the Jaguars be willing to include their No. 1 pick in 2026 in a trade? If not, would the Browns actually give up the chance to draft what Berry termed the football equivalent of Shohei Ohtani for a package of picks?
This late trade rumor has brought new drama to what was looking like a chalk pick by Berry. If not Hunter, then whom? And for how many picks?
The drama might not end there for the Browns. Berry will be watching the run on quarterbacks after Cam Ward is selected first by Tennessee.
Will it force Berry’s hand to make a move from the coveted No. 33 pick at the top of the second round to trade into the first for a quarterback? Or will he stand pat and take the quarterback still standing after Round One?
Mock draft 7.0
1. Tennessee: QB Cam Ward, Miami
Comment: Throughout the whole draft season, he operated in the shadow of Shedeur Sanders.
2. Cleveland: WR-CB Travis Hunter, Colorado
Comment: Will they resist a trade down? If not, any deal better include a 2026 No. 1.
3. N.Y. Giants: EDGE Abdul Carter, Penn State
Comment: Carter’s injury uncertainties are making Giants nervous.
4. New England: OT Will Campbell, LSU
Comment: Gator arms notwithstanding, he’s OT1 in this draft.
5. Jacksonville: RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
Comment: Jaguars settle for next-best offensive playmaker if trade offer to Browns fails.
6. Las Vegas: OT Kelvin Banks, Texans
Comment: Raiders resist making a splash with an offensive playmaker.
7. N.Y. Jets: OT Armand Membou, Missouri
Comment: Tough call over TE1. Jets in a better place this year.
8. Carolina: TE Tyler Warren, Penn State
Comment: Bryce Young can use a reliable tight end.
9. New Orleans: DT Mason Graham, Michigan
Comment: Surprise slide by DT1 is saved by Saints.
10. Chicago: RB Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
Comment: Offensive rebuild continues for Bears.
11. San Francisco: EDGE Jalen Walker, Georgia
12. Dallas: WR Matthew Golden, Texas
13. Miami: QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
Comment: Nobody saw this coming … but me. Dolphins have concerns about Tua's concussion issues.
14. Indianapolis: TE Colston Loveland, Michigan
15. Atlanta: EDGE Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M
16. Arizona: WR Teitaroa McMillan, Arizona
17. Cincinnati: DE Mike Green, Marshall
Comment: First strike in a defensive draft for Bengals.
18. Seattle: CB Will Johnson, Michigan
19. Tampa Bay: LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
20. Denver: WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
21. Pittsburgh: DT Derrick Harmon, Oregon
Comment: Steelers’ QB will be Aaron Rodgers or Kirk Cousins.
22. L.A. Chargers: DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan
23. Green Bay: CB Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky
24. ** TRADE ** N.Y. Giants: QB Jaxson Dart, Mississippi
(Giants trade 2025 No. 34 + No. 65 to Vikings for No. 24)
25. Houston: OG Tyler Booker, Alabama
26. L.A. Rams: C/OG Grey Zabel, North Dakota State
27. Baltimore: EDGE Mykel Williams, Georgia
Comment: Ravens pass rush has been lacking.
28. Detroit: EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College
29. Washington: EDGE James Pearce, Tennessee
30. Buffalo: S Malaki Starks, Georgia
31. Kansas City: OT Josh Conerly, Oregon
32. Philadelphia: S Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina
33. Cleveland: QB Jalen Milroe, Alabama
Comment: A running QB for Kevin Stefanski to develop over time.