Cleveland Browns should rethink Myles Garrett as the No. 1 pick

The Cleveland Browns have several major decisions to make before the 2017 NFL Draft. Thankfully, Myles Garrett’s comments should make choosing first overall a bit easier.

Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett is one of the most highly touted NFL prospects in the 2017 NFL Draft. According to many draft analysts, including ESPN’s Mel Kiper and Todd McShay, Garrett is projected to be taken off the board No. 1 overall by the Cleveland Browns.

The Browns are in need of a strong tackler with explosive speed much like Garrett. With a new defensive coordinator coming in, and quite possibly a much different looking defensive scheme altogether, there seems to be no better time to pursue a player who could single-handedly change the culture of a defense.

There is a lot to like about the 6-foot-5 and 270-pound Garrett. He can play effectively against the run and rush the passer. As an edge defender, Garrett has drawn comparisons to Jadeveon Clowney, who was selected with the No. 1 overall pick by the Houston Texans in 2014. NFL.com even compares Garrett’s skill set to that of Julius Peppers, a three-time First Team All-Pro honoree.

There is, however, one major problem. As much as the Browns may want Garrett, Garrett doesn’t seem to want to have any part of the Browns.

In a video posted by ESPN on Feb. 10 – but that was actually filmed at an event in December -Garrett made the following comments when asked if there was a particular team he wanted to select him in the 2017 NFL Draft:

"I’m speaking to you Jerry, make it happen. Dak Prescott is leading our team right now, I need you to take Tony Romo, take a couple picks, and give them to Cleveland so you can pick me up. Please, I’d love to play in Dallas."

First of all, the No. 1 rule when asked these kinds of questions is to dodge the question. That’s Garrett’s first mistake. Granted, this interview occurred in December, so the 21-year-old could claim that he didn’t know any better.

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The second mistake is that Garrett mentioned Cleveland in his comments. This is Garrett’s way of telling everyone that he assumes he is worthy of the top pick and sees no other alternative. In the past, even players who know they will be taken off the board first overall do not communicate this sort of cockiness. On the contrary, they act professionally in interviews, making broad statements which include few assumptions.

And of course, the third mistake in this 15-second clip is that Garrett refers to the Cowboys as “our team.” Since he will most likely not be a member of the Dallas Cowboys, referring to the organization as “our team” is not a professional move.

Garrett’s comments should give the Browns reason for concern when it comes to the youngster’s attitude. He clearly wants to play in Dallas, which is fine. Garrett is a Cowboys fan, being from Texas. The concern involves his attitude, and how even a “joke” could translate to another money seeking lazy football player wearing a Browns uniform.

Josh Gordon, Johnny Manziel and even Braylon Edwards, to a degree, all fall into that category. The Browns have been through this before, several times in fact in just the past few seasons. It is time for the team to value character and attitude a bit more and not just evaluate raw talent.

In Garrett’s case, his talent is tempting, but he is still a major risk since there is no telling the degree to which his attitude could impact his play.

To be fair, as Bleacher Report recently reported, Garrett later went on to state that he would in fact gladly play in Cleveland if drafted by the Browns.

"I want to go number one. Whoever that is, if that’s Cleveland, I have no problem going up there and playing with them. I’m going to love whatever team and organization that I’m a part of."

Similarly, Garrett backtracked on his previous comments in an ESPN interview in which he encouraged fans to “take a joke“:

"I don’t mind where I play at all. I just want to go number one and be the best player in the draft and be the best player in the league for years to come. It doesn’t matter who I’m with. I’d love to play for the Browns, I’d love to play for anybody who picks me up number one. My goal is to just go number one and have a successful career."

And to play for Dallas. Not to put words in Garrett’s mouth, but that is kind of what he said when he begged Jerry Jones to trade up to No. 1 so he wouldn’t have to leave his home state.

There is a time for jokes, and yes, Browns fans can take jokes. They have been doing so for decades now. But to act like a statement like this is no big deal shows a lack of understanding of a Cleveland fan’s perspective. Garrett knew full well that the Browns were the team that Dallas would have to trade with to pick him up.

Browns fans are sick of jokes. This regime is supposed to be the one that finally turns it around, and fans who go along with the constant mocking of the Browns and find it humorous are complacent, fair-weather fans who might take an interest in purchasing a Julio Jones or Ezekiel Elliot jersey.

Garrett is not a horrible person. In fact, he is a spectacular football player who should have a decorated NFL career. What the organization should do though is take these comments seriously when evaluating Garrett’s character and desire to play for Cleveland.

Next: Jokes will continue until Browns win

If he’s in it for the money, or to eventually play for Dallas, fans are going to experience a bit of a déjà vu. For Garrett, he may have just found a way to avoid being selected No. 1 overall.

And for Browns fans who truly care about getting this draft right, they don’t mind.

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Video should make Cleveland Browns question Myles Garrett at No. 1

By Jonathan Goehring | Feb 17, 2017

The Cleveland Browns have several major decisions to make before the 2017 NFL Draft. Thankfully, Myles Garrett’s comments should make choosing first overall a bit easier.

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