Moves for Top-Five NFL Draft Teams to Make the Playoff Jump: Sam Darnold, Abdul Carter, Travis Hunter and Aaron Rodgers Fill Holes

The turnover of playoff teams in the NFL each season keeps things interesting. About half of the franchises that make the playoffs one year don't make it back the following season. Sometimes, those new playoff teams come from near the top of the draft after a major pick and/or series of moves improves their baseline talent.

The Washington Commanders are a great example from last season: much like the way Robert Griffin III took the Redskins from No. 2 pick (with a trade up from the sixth pick) to the playoffs about a decade earlier, Jayden Daniels was the second overall pick and lifted Washington to the NFC Championship Game.

The Commanders didn't just make that jump because of Daniels. He was probably the most important upgrade the team made, but they also added starters/rotation players at every offensive position (Austin Ekeler, Zach Ertz, Noah Brown, Nick Allegretti, Tyler Biadasz) and each level of the defense.

The team that finished as the second worst in 2023 made targeted moves to improve their roster in support of their rookie QB, and it helped Daniels excel to an Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

So, what moves do the teams picking in the top five need to make to take a similar jump up the standings to a playoff berth in 2025? Like Washington, these teams need to add talent through free agency/trades as well as hitting in the draft.

We'll look at what type of moves they could make in free agency, where they could focus in the draft, and the likelihood of each team making the leap (spoiler alert: it's not good). Stats are mostly from NFL.com.

Pick No. 1. Tennessee Titans

Conventional wisdom says the Titans should be looking quarterback with the top pick, but the consensus seems to be that the QBs aren't the top prospects, and Tennessee could get more value by taking a better player at another premium position.

Free Agency

Adding a quarterback in free agency might be a better option given the players available. Sam Darnold just had a breakout season in Minnesota, and though there has to be some worry that he won't carry that performance into a less favorable situation, at least he has shown the upside.

Justin Fields and Russell Wilson could be options as possible long- or short-term solutions, respectively. I thought Matthew Stafford was interesting (but unlikely) until he restructured his contract with the Rams. This would be a case of trying to take a huge leap by upgrading the most important position with a veteran.

Draft

Take pass rusher Abdul Carter. Carter is drawing comparisons to Micah Parsons, and not only because they both played linebacker at Penn State before showing massive pass rushing chops. Carter is a high-level player who can get after the quarterback.

The Titans would do better to take Carter at the top (or trade away the pick) and maybe look for a developmental QB later in the draft.

Can They Do It?

Probably not. They did add veterans last offseason (like Calvin Ridley and Tony Pollard) who will still be around, but they need impact players and a big upgrade at quarterback. They would have to nail a series of moves to jump to the playoffs, though their division is fairly weak.

2. Cleveland Browns

Cleveland needs a quarterback, but it's a different story because Deshaun Watson is eating up a huge amount of cap space and will probably miss all of 2025 after tearing his Achilles. They are also dealing with Myles Garrett wanting a trade out of town, so there could be changes coming around the face of the franchise.

Free Agency

It's going to be a common theme: A team planning to make a big jump probably has a better chance with a veteran quarterback rather than drafting one of the top two guys this year. Cleveland has a lot of talent, but their level of quarterback play was untenable in 2024.

The guys mentioned in the Tennessee section all apply here, but they could also look for someone who could come cheap if they are released. Aaron Rodgers is an option (more on him next), but Kirk Cousins might be the more likely addition.

If Cousins is released, he will be able to be signed for the minimum, like Wilson in Pittsburgh last year. That's something that would be appealing to a team with a huge cap anchor in Watson and maybe more dead money from Garrett.

Draft

Take Carter if he's there, otherwise draft Travis Hunter. Hunter just won the Heisman and is seen by many as the best wide receiver and the best cornerback in this class. His best chance at instant impact that would help his team to the playoffs would probably be Hunter continuing the recent trend of pass catchers breaking rookie records while catching those passes from a veteran QB.

Can They Do It?

If Hunter came in as a true WR1 and Cousins found some of his old form, there is talent in Cleveland that could make a run at a wild card spot. Keeping Garrett would be a big part of that, so working things out with the pass rusher or forcing him to tough it out is probably their best path toward winning in 2025.

3. New York Giants

It's time for the Giants to win. Coach Brian Daboll and GM Joe Schoen are surely on the hot seat, and a trip to the playoffs is most likely with a talented veteran under center. This is another spot where Stafford could have fit, but now there's a report that Rodgers is under consideration for the Giants.

Free Agency

I don't like the idea of Rodgers finding peak form, but it appears that there will be a market for him. I do like the idea of the Giants using the third pick on a better player and going with a veteran quarterback, though. Anyone we've mentioned previously or Rodgers hitting big is their best bet.

The defense needs help also, particularly on the back end. Rookie corners tend to struggle, so a big-time addition and some veteran depth in the secondary would make the Giants a more formidable defense to go with a strong line.

Draft

Consider trading down. That wouldn't necessarily help winning in 2025, but it would set up the franchise with a chance to add more high-level talent. If Hunter were available, he'd be a great pick, or they could look at the top tier of offensive and defensive linemen.

A quarterback might be the most likely pick, but we don't know what New York's front office is thinking. While maximizing value is best for the franchise, the people in charge might think more in terms of what helps them win now.

Can They Do It?

It all comes down to nailing the quarterback position. If it's Rodgers, then I think the 2025 Giants will look like the 2024 Jets. If it's Darnold and he carries over some magic, then that combined with a home run pick at No. 3, or successful maneuvering around the board, could push them the right way.

They would probably have to fight for a wild card spot because they play in a tough division. Six games against the Eagles, Commanders, and Cowboys might be too much to overcome in the crowded race in the middle. This seems like an unlikely proposition for the Giants, who might be drafting high again next year with a new coach and GM.

4. New England Patriots

The Patriots seem to have figured out the most important position with Drake Maye, last year's third overall pick. He looked the part of a young franchise quarterback while experiencing expected bumps in the road; he was also surrounded by subpar talent. New England is in an enviable position in the draft in that they can upgrade with almost any pick (though that's not a place they want to stay very long).

Free Agency

According to ESPN's offensive and defensive line rankings, the Patriots were the worst run blocking team and the second-worst pass blocking team in 2024. The passers and ball carriers were constantly harassed in the backfield.

Work needs to be done on multiple levels to add talent, and that should start in free agency. Left tackle Ronnie Stanley of Baltimore is a free agent, and while he has dealt with a lot of injuries, Stanley played all 17 games last season. Locking down the most important spot on the offensive line with a Pro-Bowl talent would be a good start.

Draft

It has to be all about value and the best player available. That could mean trading back from the fourth pick if someone wants to move up and grab either Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders after the Giants take the other. Adding future first rounders and more in 2025 would be an ideal situation and could help replenish a roster short on talent.

The offensive and defensive lines are obvious areas to upgrade, something that could happen in any round of the draft.

Can They Do It?

The level of talent is so low right now that it seems like it would take multiple seasons to get the Patriots to a winning level. A capable quarterback is a great start, and if the team makes enough upgrades elsewhere, they could luck into a wild card spot. I'm not betting on a playoff trip, though.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars

Over the course of two seasons, the Jags fell from the hot upstart team to one of the most directionless franchises in the league. Trevor Lawrence is still in place, a major component toward a turnaround, and they have a new offensive coach in Liam Coen, who will be expected to unlock the former top overall pick.

Free Agency

The offensive line needs help that would be best added through free agency or a trade, as rookie offensive linemen tend to struggle, even the best players. ESPN had Jacksonville below average in both pass blocking and run blocking, so they could get better in a lot of ways.

The defense also needs plenty of help; they could add a player at every level and upgrade.

Draft

Speaking of defense, Jacksonville is in prime position to add an impact defender to one of the worst units from last season. Defensive tackle Mason Graham from Michigan has been mocked to the Jags often; he's a game wrecker from the inside and would fit nicely between two top-five picks at pass rusher (Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker).

The Jags had the worst pass rush and ranked 27th in run stop win rate by ESPN, so the line is a major need. Cornerback and wide receiver are other premium positions at which they could probably upgrade with players available at No. 5.

Can They Do It?

Like the Titans, Jacksonville has the benefit of a weak division. The Houston Texans are at the top, but C.J. Stroud took a step back last season, and they didn't seem to be near the level of a contender. Someone could overtake the Texans in the division.

Having a quarterback in place is a great start, and the defensive line detailed above could be a terror for opposing offenses. I would still bet against it, but I think Jacksonville has the best chance of these five teams to make the playoffs next year, pending any offseason moves (which will change the equation).