8. Myles Garrett: As always, this project is moving quickly. Finally, defense is about to get some love. I remember following this guy during his college days with the Texas A&M Aggies. Without question, he was the best player on the field. In 2017, the Cleveland Browns made him the number one pick. During his collegiate days, he received unanimous All-American honors. Since coming into the NFL, he’s been a terrorizing force amongst his opponents. He’s the second player to make his debut. Myles Garrett is finally here y’all. He checks in as my eighth-best player and also checks in as my third-best defensive player in the league.
This guy is a freak of nature. Myles has every tool you look for in a pass rusher. When he has that hand in the dirt, he’s running downhill and coming after you. In other words, he simply gets whatever he wants on the football field. I’ve never seen a defensive end as big as he is with the speed, power, strength, and flexibility he displays. No man who weighs 271 pounds should be moving as quickly as he is. Myles uses a pure bull-rush to get to the quarterback. It doesn’t matter who is lined up against him. He powers his way into the opposing backfield and when you don’t double team him or slide the protection to him, he will take a game over. He’s dominant enough to make it a long day for your offense if you don’t attend to him. What separates him from other pass rushers is the first instinct to go for the ball. Watch him closely. Myles wants to rip the ball out of your hands. Against the run, he’s also top-notch. There isn’t anything he can’t do.
Up top, I mentioned if you don’t circle in on him, he will wreck your entire offensive gameplan. How about asking the Chicago Bears about that? In Justin Fields’ first start at quarterback, Myles sacked him 4.5 times. The Bears never adjusted on him, and he continued to wreak havoc. One thing I’ve noticed about him is how he’s matured since the incident with Mason Rudolph in 2019. Myles quietly goes about his business. I was happy when the Browns locked him into a contract extension.
