Travis Hunter’s Draft ultimatum puts Browns in uncharted territory

Agency_LATINWEB Cleveland Browns - English Colorado Buffaloes - English Kevin Stefanski - English NCAA NCAAF - English Sports Talia Padilla - LW English Travis Hunter - English

add

The Cleveland Browns are heading into the 2025 NFL Draft with a rare opportunity: the No. 2 overall pick.

It’s their first first-round selection in three seasons, and the pressure is on for head coach Kevin Stefanski and the front office to get it right.

NFL coaches divided on Travis Hunter

Much of the speculation has focused on a non-quarterback, Colorado’s Travis Hunter, who turned heads with a Heisman-level season and rare ability to dominate on both sides of the ball.

Hunter, who played virtually every snap for Colorado in 2024, has become one of the most talked-about prospects in years.

But his recent public declaration has shaken the draft landscape: he won’t play in the NFL unless he’s allowed to continue as both a wide receiver and a cornerback.

It’s a warning to all 32 franchises, and perhaps more than any other, it’s directed squarely at Cleveland.

The Browns are believed to view Hunter primarily as a wide receiver, someone to pair with Jerry Jeudy and use defensively in specific sub-packages.

But Hunter’s refusal to be boxed into a single role could create early tension.

Analysts like Mike Florio have emphasized the importance of letting Hunter reach his own conclusions about the physical toll and feasibility of playing both ways.

Forcing a position on him, Florio warns, could backfire quickly.

“Maybe he can do it…maybe he can find a way to hold up physically. But he’s the one who’s going to have to be allowed to come to the conclusion on his own…This is about managing your player in a positive way. Not, ‘Sit down, shut up. I run the show.’…That’s not going to work, You’ve got to let him realize, ‘Yeah, he’s bitten off more than he can chew’,” Fiorio said.

Rival voices in the AFC North are already weighing in.

Ravens GM Eric DeCosta and head coach John Harbaugh, under no real threat of drafting Hunter themselves, have subtly nudged Cleveland toward a one-position approach.

DeCosta focused on identifying a “best-fit” role, while Harbaugh cast doubt on the practicality of mastering both offense and defense at the NFL level, hinting that the Browns will find out the hard way.

Still, Cleveland’s decision-makers find themselves in a difficult spot.

On one hand, Hunter is a generational athlete with the potential to fill two roster needs in one pick.

On the other, managing his workload responsibly is critical to protecting his long-term health and career longevity.

Stefanski will need to balance Hunter’s ambition with the harsh realities of the pro game.

Whether Cleveland chooses to embrace the full scope of Hunter’s potential or gently guide him toward a more sustainable role, this draft pick could define the Browns’ trajectory for years to come.

This news was originally published on this post .

Tagged as:
Agency_LATINWEB Cleveland Browns - English Colorado Buffaloes - English Kevin Stefanski - English NCAA NCAAF - English Talia Padilla - LW English Travis Hunter - English

Share on

email

Previous

trending_flat

Real Madrid vs. Arsenal penalty controversy: First-half chaos reigns with penalty, VAR overturn and Saka miss

Sports

Next

trending_flat

Cam Ward gives Titans a nod as future No.1 NFL draft pick

Agency_SAM