No one is rooting for injuries, of course, but every time there is a major strain, break or tear, there are ripple effects. And one of the moves that very much appears to be breaking the Browns way–there have not been many of those in recent years–might just have broken even more in the team’s favor.
That’s because the Browns did well to take advantage of the desperation for the Jaguars to add a star element–Travis Hunter–to their mostly meh bunch at the draft last April by trading down from No. 2 to get a pile of assets from Jacksonville. That included, with other picks being swapped, the No. 5 overall pick (Mason Graham), and a second-round pick that was used on budding star running back Quinshon Judkins.
Most of all, it included the Jaguars‘ No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL draft. As things stand, that pick is at No. 18 overall, with Jacksonville at 4-3. But the Jags have lost two in a row and some of the early momentum from the team has dissipated.
And now, Hunter is hurt, suffering a non-contact injury that had the Jaguars put him immediately on the injured reserve.
Browns Could Gain From Jaguars Pain
As of now, Jacksonville is not saying how long Hunter will be out, but the indications are not good. Non-contact knee injuries often–not always–lead to torn ligaments, and the fact that the Jags did not hesitate to make the move to put Hunter on the IR indicates this could be a season-ender.
That’s unfortunate for Hunter, who has been trying to find his role in the NFL after winning the Heisman Trophy as a star at both receiver and cornerback in college.
But, again, the Jaguars’ pain can be Cleveland’s gain. This is a team that was 4-13 last year, including 2-8 in its final 10 games, and closed the year at 1-5 after starting 8-3 two years ago. Strong finishes are not its forte, and the Hunter injury likely will take more wind out of the Jaguars’ sails.
Browns Have No. 4 Currently
At 2-6, the Browns are currently slotted with the No. 4 pick in the draft, and it is hard to say how much they’ll fluctuate. Given the struggles of the offense, though, it’s likely Cleveland will land in the Top 10 with its own pick.
The Jaguars could break either way, and it will be worth watching how they handle going on the road against a beatable Raiders team. Las Vegas is good enough to win that game, as the Jaguars are only 2.5-point favorites. Jacksonville is just 2-12 in its last 14 games on the road.
After the Raiders game, the Jags have three of four more games on the road, followed by a home game against the NFL-leading Colts. This could be a stretch that sinks their season. Even at best, Jacksonville is likely a 7-10 team–last year, that netted Dallas the No. 12 overall pick.
2026 Quarterback Class Looking Flat
The big question for the Browns and next April, though, is what might available for the team, quarterback-wise? And that’s where things get a bit dodgy. There will be plenty of first-round quarterbacks, but whether any are true franchise-changers is up for debate.
The strength of the upcoming draft is very much on the defensive side of a ball–surely a frustration for an organization as desperate for a sure thing at QB as the Browns.
Fernando Mendoza of Indiana is shaping up to be the QB1 in April, and he could land at No. 1 overall. Oregon’s Dante Moore is nipping at his heels and could overtake him as the top QB.
After that, though, it’s a crapshoot–LaNorris Sellers, if he comes out, of South Carolina; late-riser Ty Simpson of Alabama; uninspiring veterans Carson Beck and Garrett Nussmeier. The Browns may be very well-positioned in the 2026 draft. But the position they need most of all may be lacking.
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