Cleveland Browns followers have endured six a long time of high-profile buffaloing for the reason that franchise final received a championship.
Discover the prize isn’t “Tremendous Bowl.” The Dawg Pound actually does.
Because the Browns eye their newest turnaround try, choosing a marquee Buff with the No. 2 general choose within the NFL Draft on April 24 appears savory. Colorado star Travis Hunter needs to be there for the taking, and whereas his athleticism received’t instantly erase the sting of “The Drive” or “The Fumble” and isn’t any salve for the state of issues at quarterback, the two-way star might assist set Cleveland on a course towards perennial playoff ecstasy.
Discover that phrase isn’t “agony.” After all, the Dawg Pound would merely accept postseason participation nowadays.
Maybe I ought to have used poetic license above and referenced Hunter’s ATHleticism. Many draft projections record the reigning Heisman Trophy winner as ATH, for “athlete.” Hunter didn’t encourage the abbreviation, in fact, however he absolutely personifies it.
Hunter dominated on each side of the ball in his junior season for the Buffaloes, catching 96 passes for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns whereas contributing 4 interceptions, 11 passes defended and 35 tackles as a defensive again.
“I really feel like I’ve put my physique via quite a bit,” Hunter stated through the NFL mix, a nod to the conditioning that allowed him to common 113 snaps per recreation in 2024.
There’s low-hanging gallows humor with tying that quote to the prospect of becoming a member of the Browns. Cleveland has made the playoffs solely twice since Hunter — who turns 22 on Could 18 — was born.
The primary occasion got here throughout his junior 12 months of highschool.
Deficiencies at quarterback have been a number one issue within the Browns’ long-term woes, leaving some followers and draftniks to covet Hunter’s Colorado teammate, Shedeur Sanders, because the No. 2 choose.
With the Tennessee Titans presumably primed to take Miami QB Cam Ward with the highest general choice, the Browns’ conflict room should notice the notable drop-off in quarterback prospects within the 2025 draft class.
Sanders might contribute, sure — particularly as conjecture swirls over the way forward for Browns incumbent (or not?) quarterback Deshaun Watson.
However Hunter would convey better worth extra shortly. You possibly can wager your ATH that he’s merely the most effective participant within the draft for a workforce that wants assist at receiver.
Jerry Jeudy led Cleveland with 90 receptions and 1,229 yards final season whereas rating second with 4 touchdowns. Elijah Moore was the one different wideout to eclipse 500 yards receiving.
It’s intangible, in fact, however Hunter additionally would ship a jolt via a franchise thirsting for marketability, irrespective of the place he takes most of his snaps.
He’s held agency all through the draft course of about his aspiration and talent to be a two-way star in a league with little historical past of them, given its bodily calls for.
Hunter sported an NFL-issued shirt that learn “DB15” on the mix. Final week, he declined to take part in drills for cornerbacks at Colorado’s showcase for NFL scouts.
At any fee, Browns common supervisor Andrew Berry stated through the mix that the entrance workplace seen the 6-foot, 188-pound Hunter first as an offensive expertise.
“By way of Travis Hunter, cornerback or receiver? The reply is sure,” Berry stated. “So, he can play each, and I feel that’s what makes him particular.
“We’d see him as a receiver primarily first, however I feel a part of what makes him a little bit of a unicorn is the truth that he can do each at a excessive degree.”
Certainly, Hunter brings a singular profile to the draft pool. So hear to traditional knowledge, Cleveland, and welcome him aboard.
