ESPN Cleveland analyst and radio host Tony Rizzo believes that the Cleveland Browns should use the No. 2 overall pick to select Travis Hunter. While discussing the upcoming NFL Draft earlier this week, Rizzo detailed how the Buffaloes dual-threat wide receiver/cornerback would make an instant impact for the Browns and not have the pressure of a quarterback if selected.
Hunter had an amazing campaign this year for the Buffaloes on both sides of the ball. Offensively, he had 96 receptions for 1,258 receiving yards and 16 total touchdowns. On the defensive side of the ball, he had four interceptions and one forced fumble.
Tony Rizzo’s Assessment of Travis Hunter
Rizzo outlined how Hunter would make an impact starting from his first day if selected by the Browns.
“Maybe we’re overthinking this. Okay yeah, quarterback, look, we’ll worry about that after two. If you take Hunter, you get a player who’s gonna guarantee to contribute from Day 1. That’s what you want, that’s what you need,” he stated.
Rizzo then continued by highlighting how he would be selecting Hunter No. 2 overall if he did a mock draft right now.
“I am starting to think, if I had to do my mock today, Chris. You need that kind of talent. That’s Travis Hunter,” he said.
.@TheRealTRizzo thinks the Browns should just take Travis Hunter at No. 2 overall and worry about QB later.
Do you agree? pic.twitter.com/Wi5Df2weqI
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) January 29, 2025
Travis Hunter’s 2025 NFL Draft Projection
This sentiment by Rizzo was shared by Pro Football Network’s Derek Tate, who had Hunter being selected No. 2 overall by the Browns in his latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft.
As Tate notes, “The Cleveland Browns have certainly created a bit of a mess by giving up a boatload of draft assets and oodles of guaranteed money for Deshaun Watson. That has led to just 19 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions over his 19 games in Cleveland.
In other words, I really can’t blame them if they would like to explore their options with one of the top quarterbacks prospect in this class. Yet, if the team still wants to move forward with Watson, snagging an impact playmaker like Travis Hunter who can legitimately contribute to both sides of the football makes too much sense to pass up.
The Browns run man coverage at one of the highest rates in the league, which is something Hunter can do very well. The Browns could certainly use a dynamic playmaker to pair with Jerry Jeudy out on the perimeter, which is another thing Hunter can do at a high level.
If the team decides to stick with Watson, Hunter can help this team on both sides of the ball — which simply doesn’t come along very often in the NFL Draft.”
