Browns GM Andrew Berry has a message for Cleveland fans after trading out of drafting Travis Hunter

Many folks wanted the Browns to take Hunter, who is an elite football prospect on both sides of the football. Cleveland could use someone like that but they opted to trade back to No. 5 with the Jacksonville Jaguars to gain a haul of picks. The additional first-round pick next year, as well as No. 36 overall was enticing for the Browns.

It was a move that will be looked back on for a while and one that GM Andrew Berry will have to live with. Berry was asked after the pick what his message would be to fans regarding the trade.

Andrew Berry backs up his move off of Travis Hunter

“Look, we’re always going to make the decisions that we think can maximize the team or give us the opportunity to maximize the team,” Berry stated. “And you know, we’re really excited for what we view as an elite trench prospect in Mason Graham and in addition to that to get another top 40 pick this year and a future one. You know, we think that’s something that’s really going to help improve our franchise.”

The Browns needed more help on the defensive front and Graham was a great pick for Jim Schwartz’s defense. Still, Hunter was the shiny pick that was there that would have lit some excitement into the fanbase. These trades can’t be weighed out for years until we see how the prospects turn out.

Berry has never been shy about making a trade that he thinks helps the Browns. The biggest trade in NFL history was the one where Cleveland sent three first-round picks to the Houston Texans for Deshaun Watson. Perhaps that failure of a trade was partially why the Browns looked to recoup some picks.

Cleveland will be back on the clock right away on Day 2 of the draft this evening at pick No. 33. Then, the Browns are right back on the clock at No. 36 thanks to the Jaguars.