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3 Cleveland Browns who won’t live up to fan expectations

By Eddie McDonald

Oct 10, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (11) runs the ball against the Los Angeles Chargers in the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (11) runs the ball against the Los Angeles Chargers in the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 26, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) celebrates a sack during the second half against the Chicago Bears at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 1: Myles Garrett Won’t Win NFL Defensive Player of the Year

When it comes to elite defensive players, especially EDGE rushers, Myles Garrett is near the very top, if he isn’t the top guy. He had a monster 2021 campaign, his fifth in the league, but didn’t receive a single NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award vote. In fact, he has yet to receive a single vote, which could obviously change any season.

Despite playing through a groin injury for the better part of the season, Garrett was able to set career-highs in sacks (16 – also a Browns single-season record), tackles (51), tackles for loss (17), quarterback hits (33), and pressures (52). He benefitted greatly from having Jadeveon Clowney on the opposite side of the line. He also recorded his first career touchdown on a strip-sack, scoop, and score.

For as great of a season as that was, divisional rival T.J. Watt had an even better season en route to winning the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award. Watt tied Michael Strahan’s single-season sack record with 22.5 while also racking up 64 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 39 quarterback hits, five forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries. He also helped lead the Steelers to the playoffs, something Garrett could not help the Browns do.

Guys like Watt and defensive tackle Aaron Donald of the Super Bowl champion Rams are still just a little bit ahead of Garrett when it comes to best defensive player, but that doesn’t mean Garrett is any sort of slouch. It won’t be an easy task, but in 2022, Garrett could very well surpass his career-setting numbers from a season ago.

One thing Garrett will absolutely do is set the Browns franchise record for sacks. He currently sits at 58.5 career sacks, trailing only Clay Matthews who has 62. Speaking of Matthews; he should be a Hall of Famer! Garrett could very easily set that record in the season opener against the Carolina Panthers, and potentially former teammate Baker Mayfield. Wouldn’t that be quite the story?

Next. Cleveland Browns: 3 things to watch for heading into training camp. dark

Garrett is one of the premier players on either side of the ball in the NFL, but sadly, he will not take home the hardware. I think he would be just fine with not winning the award as long as the Browns make the playoffs and especially if they make a deep run.

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