Myles Garrett is the consensus No. 1 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft
The Cleveland Browns are pegged to own the No. 1 pick come April and there is no doubt Myles Garrett would solidify the young defensive front.
Defensive ends appearing to be immediate impact players out of college are rare to come across in the NFL. The transition from college to professional football is difficult to assess – especially for defensive lineman. However, Texas A&M’s Myles Garrett offers an extraordinary skill set that is sure to transfer smoothly at the next level.
Currently, the Cleveland Browns remain at the bottom of the NFL with an 0-12 record. The San Francisco 49ers (1-11) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2-10) are the two biggest threats to invade the Browns’ current spot. Despite only one or two wins separating these three teams, it’s becoming more evident the Browns are the worst.
However, the Browns are in an unusual spot being on the brink of a winless season. This Browns team will be determined to avoid this historical season, one that would be sure to cap off the last decade of misery.
Although it is still unclear who will own the first overall pick in April’s upcoming NFL Draft, Garrett is the best player the 2017 class has to offer. His statistics are beyond impressive and his natural ability to attack the quarterback from the edge position makes him special. Garrett measures out at 6-foot-5 and 262 pounds, still remaining one of the more athletic defensive ends in the draft.
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In his freshman season at Texas A&M, he totaled 49 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and also added 11.0 sacks. His sophomore campaign was even better with 59 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks. On top of that, Garrett also added five forced fumbles in his second collegiate season as well. Tough numbers to replicate, Garrett added 32 tackles, 15.0 for a loss, and 8.5 sacks, two pass deflections and two forced fumbles in only nine games this season.
This kid exemplifies productivity and genuinely wants to be the best player in all of football. When asked how he can do that, Garrett offered a straight-forward response.
“Break all the records that I can,” he said. “Dominate by a wide margin. Let it be unanimous. Don’t let anybody be close to how good you are, no matter what the division [of football] is.”
The Jadeveon Clowney comparisons are clear, although there is one true distinctive difference between the two. Clowney, unlike Garrett, didn’t play that much his final collegiate season and Garrett has battled through injuries and made sure he is on the field come Saturday. He displays grit, determination and refuses to give anyone else an opportunity to outwork him.
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Not only does the Texas A&M star consistently improve each week, he also seems to be a good locker room guy that works hard to perfect his technique. Whether or not he will be better off in a 4-3 or 3-4 defense can be left up for discussion, although that won’t change the fact Myles Garrett is the No. 1 consensus pick in this year’s NFL Draft.
If the Cleveland Browns have that pick, they would be wise to use it on this game-changing defensive end.