Ranking potential quick NFL turnarounds: Why Myles Garrett’s Browns confidence could be warranted

Browns defensive end Myles Garrett quieted talks about a potential trade during the most recent episode of HBO’s in-season “Hard Knocks.”

“We’re closer than some may think we are,” the four-time first-team All-Pro said about the team’s ability to return to the postseason next year. And he might be right.

The Browns have the No. 2 overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, and in the past four seasons (2021-24), a team that earned a top-five NFL Draft pick (2021 Bengals, 2022 Giants, 2023 Texans, 2024 Commanders) not only reached the playoffs but won a postseason game.

With that in mind, here’s our pre-free-agency ranking of teams with 2025 top five picks by likelihood of making the playoffs next season.

5. New York Giants (3-14)

The Giants front office has had a bad couple of years. In 2023, it signed Daniel Jones to a four-year, $160 million contract extension, only to release him this season. Last offseason, New York allowed running back Saquon Barkley and safety Xavier McKinney to leave in free agency.

This season, Barkley rushed for 2,005 yards for the Eagles. McKinney signed with the Packers and had eight interceptions while being named first-team All-Pro for the first time in his five-year career.

With the No. 3 overall pick, the Giants might be unable to get what they need most: a quarterback. Tennessee and Cleveland’s most significant need is also quarterback, and they own the top two picks. The 2025 QB class lacks depth, making the unimpressive free-agent class potentially the best way for New York to improve at the position. 

4. Tennessee Titans (3-14)

Tennessee could make a splash hitting on the right quarterback prospect with the No. 1 pick. But first, the Titans must figure out who will make that selection. The team fired general manager Ran Carthon after two seasons earlier this month, putting it on a murky path months before it makes a potentially franchise-altering pick.

Last offseason, the Titans went on a spending spree, signing wide receiver Calvin Ridley, running back Tony Pollard and cornerback L’Jarius Sneed to contracts with $101.47 million in guaranteed money. That approach didn’t yield positive on-field results, which could lead to a more conservative strategy this offseason.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-13)

Who the Jaguars hire as their next head coach will go a long way in determining whether they can reach the playoffs for the first time since 2022. But there’s stuff to like about Jacksonville, including quarterback Trevor Lawrence and wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., plus its spot in the always unpredictable AFC South. 

2. Cleveland Browns (3-14)

The Browns are strong along the offensive and defensive lines, giving them a solid base for a quick rebound after a one-year playoff absence. They can use the No. 2 overall pick on a replacement for quarterback Deshaun Watson, arguably the league’s worst starter. In the last two seasons, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud and Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels went from second overall picks to playoff-winners.

However, Watson’s onerous $230,000,000 million fully guaranteed contract will limit what the Browns can add in free agency. Per Over The Cap, Watson has a $72.935 million 2025 cap number, and Cleveland ranks 31st in estimated cap space, roughly $30 million above the cap.

1. New England Patriots (4-13)

Quarterback Drake Maye looks like a star in the making. The Patriots also recently hired an excellent head coach, Mike Vrabel, with a 54-45 career record. Oh, and they have an NFL-high $120.5 million in estimated salary-cap space. The next Patriots dynasty could be coming soon.