It remains universally assumed Cam Ward will hear his name called first in next week’s draft. Once the Titans have opened the event with the addition of a new quarterback, the Browns will face an interesting decision. 
Cleveland will have the option of adding Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter or two-way Colorado star Travis Hunter with the No. 2 pick. Other options have not been ruled out, but at this point it would come as a surprise if another prospect was taken in the absence of a move down the board. When speaking to the media on Thursday, general manager Andrew Berry said (via TheLandOnDemand’s Tony Grossi) a final decision has not yet been made regarding the Browns’ top choice.
During the pre-draft process, the team has been linked to both Carter and Hunter. At this point, it remains to be seen which way the Browns are leaning, and their decision will of course be key for the Giants at No. 3. In the event Hunter winds up heading to Cleveland, it will be interesting to see how he is used. Questions have lingered about his role at the NFL level, with opinions being split amongst teams at the top of the order. Berry confirmed the Browns’ view on that front during his pre-draft presser.
“We wouldn’t put a cap or a governor in terms of what he could do,” Berry said when asked about Hunter (via CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones). “We would see his first home at receiver and his second home on the defensive side of the ball.”
Hunter remains confident in his ability to handle full-time receiver and cornerback duties as a pro, and he has publicly stated a willingness to not play for his next team if he does not receive the opportunity to do so. Notably, the Heisman winner has also said the teams he has met with have not been averse to playing him on both sides of the ball. That includes the Browns, whose plan has clearly remained consistent throughout the pre-draft process.
Cleveland has Jerry Jeudy atop the receiver depth chart for 2025 and beyond, but Hunter could step into a regular role on offense right away. The Browns’ cornerback setup includes the well-established trio of Denzel Ward, Martin Emerson and Greg Newsome, although the latter’s future remains a talking point as he prepares to play out his fifth-year option in 2025. A part-time workload on defense could be more challenging to carve out without an injury in the secondary, but the Browns would be open to exploring it based on Berry’s comments. The possibility of Hunter landing in Cleveland will remain a major storyline as the countdown to the draft continues.