3 Defensive players who shined in Browns season opener

Defensive Standout No. 1: Myles Garrett

Was there any doubt about who would top this list? The Cleveland Browns have one of the biggest defensive weapons in all of the NFL, and his name is Myles Garrett. There are not many defensive ends that have the ability to take over a game singlehandedly, but Garrett is undoubtedly on that ultra-short list.

A lot was made of Garrett and Mayfield’s relationship heading into the season opener, but it was just business as usual for the sixth-year pass rusher. Garrett routinely beat the number six overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft, Ikem Ekwonu, around the edge and made life uncomfortable for Mayfield. After several close calls, Garrett finally got home and sacked Mayfield midway through the third quarter.

On the very next play, Garrett breezed through a chip block from Panthers’ tight end Tommy Tremble and then turned the corner on Ekwonu displaying an unreal bend, and strip-sacked Mayfield. Although Garrett was unable to complete the trifecta and recover the fumble, the play ended the Panther’s drive and forced a punt on fourth and 17.

Garrett finished the game with four solo tackles, with three of the tackles coming behind the line of scrimmage, and two sacks, with one forced fumble. In other words, Garrett was his normal game-wrecking self.

The Panthers did everything they could to help their rookie left tackle out. They used constant chip blocks, slid their protection, and moved the pocket away from Garrett a handful of times. But, in the end, Myles Garrett is the Browns’ version of Thanos. He is inevitable.