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3 bold predictions for the Cleveland Browns 2020 defense

By Greg Newland

CINCINNATI, OH - NOVEMBER 25: Myles Garrett #95 and Earl Watford #71 of the Cleveland Browns take the field for their game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on November 25, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Bengals 35-20. (Photo by John Grieshop/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - NOVEMBER 25: Myles Garrett #95 and Earl Watford #71 of the Cleveland Browns take the field for their game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on November 25, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Bengals 35-20. (Photo by John Grieshop/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, COLORADO – DECEMBER 15: Quarterback Case Keenum #4 of the Denver Broncos attempts to elude Myles Garrett #95 of the Cleveland Browns at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on December 15, 2018, in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO – DECEMBER 15: Quarterback Case Keenum #4 of the Denver Broncos attempts to elude Myles Garrett #95 of the Cleveland Browns at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on December 15, 2018, in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Myles Garrett will win Defensive Player of the Year

With the No. 1 pick in the 2017 NFL draft, the Browns selected defensive end, Myles Garrett, from Texas A&M. Garrett was/is a freak athlete, and you could argue is the second-best player of his draft class (Patrick Mahomes). An injury limited Garrett in year-one, but in 11 games, he still racked up 31 tackles with seven sacks and 18 quarterback hits.

Garrett followed up his rookie season with a full 16-game slate where he earned a trip to the Pro Bowl with 13.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, and 29 quarterback hits. Garrett was constantly double-teamed, but still wreaked havoc in opposing teams’ backfields. Before the 2019 season, many expected Garrett to compete for Defensive Player of the Year with Vernon now on the opposite side of him.

Injuries to Vernon would limit Garrett’s upside for one-on-ones at the beginning of the season. Later, a suspension after an ugly incident swinging a helmet at Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph would end Garrett’s 2019 season early. In only 10 games in 2019, Garrett had 10 sacks and 29 tackles and was a constant issue for opponents.

Look for Garrett to come back strong in 2020, looking for revenge after his suspension last year. With a healthy Vernon on the other side, Garrett could see a substantial amount of one-on-ones, which he will win against almost any tackle in the league.

Next. 3 mistakes by the Browns front office in 2020. dark

Look for Garrett to post a monster stat line in 2020 with 50-plus tackles, 17-plus sacks, and 30-plus quarterback hits which should put him on the shortlist for Defensive Player of the Year.

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