Reigning Defensive Player of the Year’s Potential for the 2024-2025 Season

Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett is coming off a season in which he finished with 14 sacks and four forced fumbles. Despite another terrific year from the former number-one overall pick, there is potential that his production will decline this season. For one, he is a year older, and typically around the age of 28 is when the numbers of elite defensive linemen decline. He will be 29 in late December, right around the time of the last weeks of the regular season.

Garrett still does have an incredible defensive reputation. Just off reputation alone, he will continue to draw double teams in pass rushes that will give his teammates opportunities to pass rush one-on-one or even a free lane to the quarterback. Garrett can still impact the game by drawing hold calls on the offensive linemen, as he has done his whole career. While there is potential the stat sheet may decline, Garrett can still have an impact on the game with what he has accomplished over the years.

The Cleveland Browns can still win the AFC North and contend in the AFC, even if their best player declines in production. Just the back end of their defense alone, they have one of the top man-to-man defenses in the league. The trio of Denzel Ward, Martin Emerson, and Nickelback Greg Newsome are terrific at holding their own in-man coverage. The Browns have had two Wild Card appearances and a Divisional Round appearance since Garrett arrived to town. Garrett has the talent of a player to lead his team to the AFC conference championship game and he certainly has a supporting cast that can help him get there.