If you’re one of us who has ever done something monumentally dumb, inspiration and hope came Thursday night in the first round of the NFL draft, when two often-errant franchises swung a big trade.
The Cleveland Browns were able to distance themselves a far piece from the worst trade in NFL history by obtaining three picks from the Jacksonville Jaguars, in return for the No. 2 pick, a swap of fourth-rounders and a sixth-round pick.
The Jaguars gave up the No. 5 pick, their 2026 first-round pick and this year’s No. 36 pick so they could draft former Colorado receiver-cornerback Travis Hunter at No. 2, one pick after the Tennessee Titans took Miami quarterback Cam Ward first overall.
Suddenly, Cleveland’s task of digging out from its disastrous trade three years ago for QB Deshaun Watson looks a lot more manageable.
Cleveland sent the Texans three first-round picks to get Watson, despite major concerns about off-field behavior and his on-field durability. Worse yet, the Browns gave Watson the most guaranteed money in NFL history, by far, only to see him flop.
Want to feel better about a big error you made?
What bailed out the Browns wasn’t anything impressive they did.
Giving us all hope, ineptitude and good luck rescued Cleveland from itself.
Fourteen losses in 17 games last season provided the No. 2 pick.
Then the Jaguars fell hard for Hunter, this draft class’ most exciting player.
Tutored by Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders, Hunter could be an NFL star at either receiver or cornerback.
The Browns used the No. 5 pick they had on Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham. His four-year contract will cost Cleveland about $4 million less than the second-pick slot would’ve cost them, offsetting some Watson’s bloated cost.
The other two picks Cleveland got should bring in starters.
Former Padres executive Paul DePodesta is in his 11th year as the Browns’ chief strategy officer. Once the Jaguars’ offer came in, the longtime La Jolla resident may have struggled to contain his relief.
The Browns’ chances of overcoming the Watson debacle have now soared.
The other big winners Thursday night were as follows:
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams. Colston Loveland, taken by Chicago with the 10th pick, will become a good NFL tight end as a rookie. Setting up Williams for a breakout season, Chicago this offseason has made upgrades at offensive coordinator, all three interior spots in the line, third receiver and tight end.
The Giants did well, drafting edge rusher Abdul Carter third and drafting Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart after trading up to 25th with the Texans.
The Packers obtained a three-level receiving threat in Matthew Golden, who’s quick, fast and more powerful than his 191-pound frame suggests.
Obtaining a versatile safety who hits hard, the Ravens added to a strength by drafting Georgia’s Malaki Starks. Baltimore’s safety tandem of Starks and Kyle Hamilton will create enormous problems for opponents.
Raiders newcomer Pete Carroll seems already to have a big say in the team’s draft.
Running back Ashton Jeanty — one of the few blue-chippers in this draft class — is a Carroll-type player.
Here’s hoping for Raiders fans that Jeanty (5-foot-8½, 211 pounds) proves as durable as Marshawn Lynch (5-11, 215). Lynch was a big star on Carroll’s two Super Bowl teams.
Jeanty will break NFL tackles at a high rate. The question is whether the Raiders can build a Super Bowl contender before the hits erode Jeanty’s speed and agility. The price tag, at No. 6, is steep — about $30 million fully guaranteed.
Smart move, Adam Peters. Oregon left tackle Josh Conerly, who played running back in high school, was a smart addition for Washington at No. 29.
Lastly, Andy Reid and San Diego’s Josh Simmons finished the round on a high note.
Simmons, a Helix High School alum who played one season for San Diego State, went to the Chiefs at No. 32, giving Kansas City a consensus top-15 talent who was available because of a patellar-tendon injury that ended his 2024 season with Ohio State.
Reid’s system is extra friendly to offensive linemen, said former SDSU and Packers blocker Rich Moran. Look for Simmons to become the Chiefs’ swing tackle as a rookie and perhaps a starter by season’s end.
