When Andrew Berry and a contingent of Browns coaches and scouts, along with owner Jimmy Haslam, walked out of Colorado’s indoor practice facility after watching the school’s pro day last month, the general manager was beaming.
The general manager had just witnessed the tremendous,almost flawless show that was put on by Buffaloes quarterback Shadeur Sanders and his favorite target, wide receiver Travis Hunter.
So, what did he think?
“I wish I could have them both!,” Berry said, doing his best attempt at an exclamation.
For a guy who has never shown that kind of exuberance, nor has ever uttered something so quotable since he came to Cleveland five years and was paired with head coach Kevin Stefanski, another attendee at the pro day, that was a pretty dramatic moment and a pretty dramatic quote.
Hey, the man does have a personality after all. He might not be doing a TED talk at his next press conference, nor is he going to do stand-up comedy anytime soon, but this was a huge jump, to be sure.
The best part of the story, though, is that his wish almost came true. In fact, if the Browns are not traded out of the second overall spot in the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday night, then it would have happened.
The Browns were all set, or so it appeared, to take Hunter, the unicorn in that also plays cornerback and was projected as the most complete and dynamic player in the draft, at that spot. But the Jacksonville Jaguars wanted him more and made a blockbuster deal with with the Browns, in exchange for their fifth overall pick this year and first-rounder in 2026, among other draft assets.
The Browns ended up taking Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham with their repositioned pick. Two days later, in the fifth round of the draft, the Browns traded up with Seattle to get the 144th overall selection,,which they used to take Sanders.
Now, had the Browns stayed at 2 and taken Hunter, then it might’ve changed the dynamics of what they did later on, but who knows.
But it’s interesting to think about, right?
Steve King
