Cleveland Browns: 2-round, way too early mock draft
By Damon Kecman
Round 1, Pick 1: DE Myles Garrett, Texas A&M
“With the first pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns select Myles Garrett, defensive lineman from Texas A&M.”
Garrett, a two-time All-American, is the consensus pick at the No. 1 position on several draft boards, and rightfully so as he is an athletic machine. The 6-foot-5 and 270-pound Garrett is the most dominant pass rusher in the draft. In his three-year career at Texas A&M, Garrett totaled 31 sacks, 47 tackles for loss and seven forced fumbles.
One thing that NFL scouts wanted to see more of from Garrett was his ability to play the run, and he stepped it up immensely this year as one of the highest rush defenders in college football. Garrett is a disruptive force and a major player that opposing offenses have to account for every week during game prep and the most NFL-ready player in this year’s draft.
Why Garrett?
A quarterback should be at the top of the Browns list of needs, but in a draft class full of mysteries at the quarterback position Garrett is the only option. Garrett is the better choice over players like Alabama’s Jonathan Allen because of how freaky athletic Garrett is. Allen could possibly be the better fit for the Browns defensive scheme but Garrett is the better prospect.
The Browns were near the bottom of the league in sacking the quarterback and one of the worst when it comes to holding opposing rushers in check in 2016. Garrett is someone who can come in and impact that immediately on defense.