If the Cleveland Browns select Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter at No. 2 overall, they wouldn't curtail the Heisman Trophy winner's ability to play both sides of the ball.
"It's a little bit like (Shohei) Ohtani," Browns GM Andrew Berry said Thursday during his pre-draft news conference, referencing the MLB Dodgers' sensation. "You know he's playing one side, and he's an outstanding player. If he's a pitcher or hitter, he's an outstanding player. You, obviously, get a unicorn if you use him both ways."
Berry reiterated that he views Hunter as a wide receiver first and then a cornerback, but would have no desire to cap the rookie's ability to play on both sides of the ball.
"I think one of the things that you can't fully appreciate until you actually see Travis play live is his elite conditioning," he said. "Going out and seeing him play at Colorado, he really never comes out the field. It's unbelievable because there are more plays in a college game than the pro game. That being said, what he would attempt to do has not been done in our league, but we necessarily wouldn't put a cap on or govern in terms of what he could do. We would want to be smart in terms of how we started him out. I think I mentioned before that we would see his first home as receiver and his second home as the defensive side of the ball."
Hunter recently told CBS Sports that he'd rather quit than not play both sides of the ball. Berry smirked and dismissed the premise.
"It really doesn't (affect our draft strategy)," he said on Thursday.
The Browns GM underscored that the club hasn't decided what to do with the No. 2 overall pick next Thursday -- even as beat reporters peppered him with repeated questions about Hunter.
Berry added that he wouldn't force selecting a quarterback at any stage of the draft, whether in the first round, middle or late, if the "value" wasn't there.
Joe Flacco's recent signing provided the Browns with a veteran they're familiar with to compete with Kenny Pickett. It doesn't preclude them from drafting a rookie, even a developmental one who might need a year of seasoning.
If the Browns indeed go with Hunter at No. 2, Berry could use the No. 33 pick at the top of Round 2 on a QB. A trade-up back into the first round could also be possible, but Berry said getting a fifth-year option doesn't add a "ton" of value in his mind.
The Browns currently own 10 picks heading into the 2025 ąú˛úÍâÁ÷ÍřDraft.
