Cleveland Browns: 5 Players the season is riding on
By Randy Gurzi
3. Myles Garrett, Defensive End
The first of their three picks in the first round last season — and No. 1 overall — was Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett. He struggled with health to start the season and was able to suit up for just 11 games while making nine starts. Garrett and the team had better hopes for him than that, but the good news is that while he was on the field, Garrett was a problem for offensive linemen and opposing quarterbacks.
Garrett finished his rookie campaign with 31 tackles and seven sacks. Projected over a full season, Garrett would have ended up with 45 tackles and 10 sacks, which would have had him in the running, if not the favorite, for the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award — which went to New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore.
In 2018, Cleveland wants to see Garrett take that proverbial next step. He’s got a stronger understanding of the game at the pro level and even has a full year in Gregg Williams’ system. Not only that, but he’s fully healthy entering training camp — as is his fellow starting defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah.
Both players have high ceilings but didn’t play a lot together last year. Getting them together will be huge, but Garrett is the key to making this whole defense work.