The Cleveland Browns are set to start training camp this week. For Myles Garrett and the rest of the team, only what happens on the field really validates how good they are.
That doesn’t mean we can’t appreciate all the recognition and respect the team has gotten this offseason coming off a successful 2020 campaign. The Browns have been near the top of many lists throughout the media. From front office, coaches, positional groups and individual players, Cleveland is loaded with talent and the media has recognized that.
Today, we add Madden NFL ’22 recognizing the talent on the field for the Browns with their ranking of Garrett as the top edge rusher in the game:
Top 10 Edge Rushers in @EAMaddenNFL. … Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/yyLOIrOBVy
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 27, 2021
While two points may not seem like much, the gap between Garrett and the rest of the edge rushers in Madden is interesting. The difference between the Browns edge rusher and the third overall edge rusher, TJ Watt, is the same as the difference between Watt and the ninth edge rusher, Nick Bosa.
The top ten list includes a pair of brothers and a set of teammates. TJ and JJ Watt are tied with a 94 overall ranking while Joey Bosa and Nick Bosa slot in at eighth and ninth overall.
JJ Watt is joined by teammate Chandler Jones after signing with Arizona as a free agent. Jones is unhappy with his contract situation and recently requested a trade.
As the Browns defense struggled last season, Garrett was the one constant (outside of COVID-19 diagnosis leading to missed games). In 2021, the top edge rusher in the NFL (according to Madden NFL ’22) has a lot more help and is a lot more dangerous.