Why did Browns shockingly trade #2 draft pick to Jaguars? NFL insider reveals reason for Andrew Berry's eye-opening move

When the 2025 NFL Draft began, Andrew Berry and the Cleveland Browns held the second-overall pick. There was talk about whether they would select Travis Hunter with that second pick to get a two-way player or Abdul Carter to pair him with Myles Garrett. In the end, neither of those eventualities played out as the Browns traded back to the fifth spot, allowing the Jaguars to take their place and select the Colorado player. The Penn State defensive end went next to the Giants.

NFL Insider Josina Anderson reported why Cleveland decided to trade back, and the answer was revealing. Deshaun Watson has held the team back on the field, but his effect has been felt off the field, too. The Browns gave up three first-rounders for the former Texans quarterback, and they traded back with the Jaguars to get more draft depth. Anderson reported a league source saying,

"Because....need multiple players. Traded three 1's for Deshaun Watson remember?"

Is Browns' 2025 NFL Draft trade down a sign for 2026?

With the Browns trading down, they missed out on Travis Hunter, who many called a generational talent. However, they gained a first-round pick in 2026. If they do not believe that Deshaun Watson is their future, they then have an added pick to play with in a quarterback class that is expected to be deeper than this year.

They have Kenny Pickett as a backup too, in addition to Joe Flacco, and they could choose to give him some time to see if he can take over from the Texans quarterback in the future.

The Browns have a putrid history of not finding the right quarterback for their organization in the last three decades. It seems they have now taken the chance to bide their time and choose someone they really like.

Of course, any such eventuality is complicated by how well the Jaguars play this year, which will determine where the Browns pick in 2026. However, in choosing Mason Graham, they have made a conscious decision to depend more on their defense this season and have that unit ready if and when a new quarterback comes back in.

Travis Hunter might have fixed a couple of positions as a two-way player, but it would not have solved the major issue for Cleveland, which is that they need a quarterback. The moves in the 2025 NFL Draft could signal their intentions for the future.