The 2016 NFL season has begun to come to a close, with the playoffs starting this past Saturday. While teams such as the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers have started their postseason journey, Browns fans (once again) look to the upcoming draft. Over the coming weeks, we’ll be looking at the top Browns draft prospects for 2017. Now the Browns truly do need help everywhere, from quarterback to cornerback. In addition, it would be nice to give new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams a top prospect to work with. Luckily for Cleveland, there just so happens to be such a prospect at the top of the 2017 draft. Enter Texas A&M defensive end and athletic freak, Myles Garrett.
Why The Browns Should Draft Myles Garrett
Physical Ability and Statistics
Myles Garrett, to put it bluntly, is an athletic anomaly, a freak of nature. Standing at 6’6″, and weighing in at 269 pounds, Garrett can play (and make an impact) at multiple positions. Though listed as a defensive end, Garrett has been known to play a bit of linebacker during his time with the Aggies. He’s incredibly light on his feet for someone of his size, especially as an edge rusher. He might be young, but Garrett should be able to create an immediate impact for Cleveland. And that’s exactly what the Browns need.
Now let’s take a look at the numbers. At Texas A&M, Garrett has collected a total of 141 total tackles (47 tackles for loss) and 31 sacks. Even while fighting the injury bug this past season, Garrett still put up 8.5 sacks. In addition to sacks and tackles, Garrett has recorded one interception, seven forced fumbles, five deflected passes, and a blocked kick. That’s a pretty impressive mark for only playing two fully healthy seasons.
The Correct Coaching
Cleveland’s new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams is famous for his incredibly aggressive 4-3 defensive scheme. Myles Garrett works strikingly well with the Browns defense in a 4-3. It’s a match made in football heaven. The defense would likely feature Garrett along with Emmanuel Ogbah as edge rushers. Defensive tackles Danny Shelton and Jamie Meder would plug up the middle. Give it a season or two; that could be a downright scary defensive line. As for the linebacker trio, there’s tackling machine Christian Kirksey, along with defensive superstar Jamie Collins. And if the Browns sign another veteran linebacker as a mentor, this could be one of the league’s better defensive fronts by the 2018-2019 season.
Knowing How To Win
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, Myles Garrett is a perennial winner. During his time at Texas A&M, Garrett has gone a collective 24-15. In the same amount of games, the Cleveland Browns are an appalling 5-34. Something needs to change for the latter organization, and fast. And Garrett just might be the answer.
Within the first few years of his career, Garrett can be a great leader for this team both on and off the field. Scouts have said that he has an amazing work ethic, and he in the first one in and last one out of practice. If Garrett can enforce this hard-working and winning culture on the Browns, they’ll be much better off. But with the culture instilled in the franchise since 1999, he just might have his work cut out for him.
Conclusion and My Pro Comparison
Myles Garrett is both exactly what the Browns want and need from this draft. As the clearest number one player in the 2017 class, both the numbers and the eye test suggest Garrett should be the top pick. But perhaps only time can tell. Either way, the Browns will be able to have any player they want, come April 27th. As for an NFL comparison, I personally see a little bit of Raiders linebacker Khalil Mack in him. He’s a downright explosive freak athlete that can not only drop into coverage on occasion, but also get to whichever opposing quarterback he pleases. His potential as a franchise player who can be a defensive cornerstone for years to come is off the charts. Frankly, if that’s not music to Browns fans’ ears, I really don’t know what is.
