The 2021 NFL offseason has been full of praise and adulation for the Cleveland Browns and its players. That continues today with Myles Garrett making the list of the 11 best edge players in the NFL.
Garrett has always been a physical marvel since his days at Texas A&M but his continued development in the NFL has been impressive. Despite being limited by COVID-19 diagnosis and lingering symptoms, Garrett once again had a great season in Cleveland in 2020.
In his fourth season, the 6’4″, 272 pound Garrett had 12 sacks in just 14 games. He also added 48 tackles, including 10 for loss, 18 quarterback hits, four forced fumbles, two fumbles recovered and two passes deflected.
A stat sheet stuffer!
For his career, Garrett has 42.5 sacks in just 51 games. He has missed seven games due to injury and another six due to suspension in 2019.
Our colleagues at Touchdown Wire placed the Browns defensive end third on their list of edge rushers but have an inkling that he will end up at the top spot sooner than later:
Garrett, who had 14 sacks, eight quarterback hits, and 41 quarterback pressures in the 2020 season, presents a unique problem for opposing blockers. Generally speaking, pass-rushers with his quickness and ability to bend the edge are 20 to 30 pounds lighter, and guys who can just bull a tackle out of the way aren’t as quick to the quarterback as he is. Perhaps no other edge defender comes to the field with such a total package of skills, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Garrett at the top of this list in a year or two.
Sitting just above Garrett is a division rival with an edge rusher from the Super Bowl champion Tamp Bay Buccaneers at the top of the list.
If Garrett can put together a full season like the one he was having last year before his COVID-19 diagnosis, the top spot should be his. He has lived up to his billing as the first overall pick and now has to keep earning his $100 million contract extension.