The Cleveland Browns had a golden opportunity to reunite college football’s most electrifying duo: quarterback Shedeur Sanders and two-way star Travis Hunter. With both players available during the 2025 NFL Draft, fans envisioned the dynamic partnership from Colorado continuing in the NFL. However, head coach Kevin Stefanski and the Browns’ front office had other plans.
Instead of selecting Hunter with the No. 2 overall pick, the Browns traded the selection to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars seized the moment, drafting Hunter and viewing him as the final piece to their puzzle. Meanwhile, Sanders experienced a surprising slide, eventually being picked by the Browns in the fifth round. This sequence of events not only surprised fans but also altered the trajectory of both franchises.
That speculation took a sharp turn when football analyst Emory Hunt (@FBallGamePlan) joined the Ross Tucker Podcast and dropped a telling update. In a tweet teasing the episode, they wrote, “The Browns REALLY passed on Travis Hunter… The Jags REALLY wanted Travis Hunter in a sense that it’s the final piece of their puzzle…” Hunt, in the video, doubled down: “We spent the better part of four months saying Travis Hunter was the best player in the draft… the Browns were in position to take him, and they passed.” He added that many believed Hunter would be a game-changer for Cleveland, potentially even going to the Giants if the Browns let him slide.
“The Browns REALLY passed on Travis Hunter… The Jags REALLY wanted Travis Hunter in a sense that it’s the final piece of their puzzle…”@FBallGamePlan gives his thoughts on the Jaguars trading up for the Heisman winner: pic.twitter.com/AsewQ2NyCq
— Ross Tucker Podcast (@RossTuckerPod) April 29, 2025
Instead, the Jaguars shocked everyone, jumping ahead and going all-in to grab what they saw as the “final piece of the puzzle.” Adding to the intrigue, the Jaguars’ front office, led by GM James Gladstone, had been discreetly targeting Hunter. They traded up, sacrificing significant draft capital, to ensure they secured him. Gladstone praised Hunter’s rare talents and character, suggesting he could significantly impact not just the team but the sport overall. In an interview, he expressed immense confidence in Hunter’s potential, stating: “He’s a rare player capable of altering not just games or teams, but the very trajectory of the sport.”
Meanwhile, the Browns’ decision-making raised eyebrows. Despite having multiple opportunities, they passed on Sanders in the early rounds, eventually selecting him in the fifth round. This move surprised many, especially considering Sanders’ impressive college career and the Browns’ need for a quarterback. Now with that dream duo out the window, fans can’t help but wonder if the Browns will regret letting this one slip.
Did Kevin Stefanski and the Browns miss a golden opportunity?
The Browns’ draft strategy has been under scrutiny—not just because they passed on Travis Hunter, but also because their overall draft lacked offensive firepower. Despite glaring needs at receiver and defensive back, they walked away without major upgrades at either position. Hunter, who can dominate on both sides of the ball, seemed like a no-brainer. Instead, Cleveland bet on a developmental strategy that many find confusing.
According to draft insiders, the Browns had Hunter high on their board throughout the pre-draft process. They even hosted representatives from his camp during top-30 visits, fueling speculation they were seriously considering him. But when it came time to pick, they not only let him slip away but also allowed another AFC team—one likely to be a direct playoff rival—to snatch him. And it’s not just about missing out on Hunter.
Pairing him with Shedeur Sanders would have given Cleveland a unique offensive identity, especially in a division where explosive playmakers like Lamar Jackson and Ja’Marr Chase are the norm. Shedeur and Travis already had chemistry from Colorado and bringing that to the NFL stage could have shortened the learning curve for both players. What’s more, Cleveland’s current WR room isn’t exactly stacked. Amari Cooper is aging, Elijah Moore hasn’t broken out yet, and there’s no clear long-term WR1.
Hunter could have added versatility and electricity—lining up wide or playing shutdown corner, something no other draft prospect offered at his level. Meanwhile, Jacksonville is gearing up to make Hunter the face of their next era. Head coach Doug Pederson reportedly told the front office during their final draft meetings, “If we want to win now, that’s our guy.” They clearly saw what Cleveland didn’t—or wouldn’t—and went all-in to make it happen. Fans have overwhelmingly approved of the decision to trade up and select Hunter.
Now, it’s up to Kevin Stefanski and GM Andrew Berry to prove they made the right call. But if Hunter becomes a Pro Bowler and Sanders lights up in relief of Deshaun Watson, fans in Cleveland may not be so forgiving. As the 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on how these decisions play out on the field. Will the Browns’ choices pay off, or will they be haunted by the stars they let slip away?
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