The Cleveland Browns made some big changes on their defensive front this offseason, but where do their edge defenders rank? According to Doug Farrar of Touchdown Wire, Cleveland boasts two of the NFL’s best in this department.
Honorable Mention: Za’Darius Smith
While Za’Darius Smith does not crack Farrar’s Top-11, he does receive Honorable Mention status. Smith is coming off a 10 sack campaign for the Minnesota Vikings last season, something that the now departed and still unsigned Jadeveon Clowney has never done in his career. While Smith did slow down as the season progressed due to injuries, 2023 is a fresh start and should benefit from playing on the opposite end of an absolute beast.
1. Myles Garrett
That aforementioned beast opposite of Smith? Myles Garrett who comes in at number one on Farrar’s list. Garrett is coming off his second consecutive 16 sack season for Cleveland. There is a very good possibility that Garrett accumulates significantly more than that if he did not end up wrecking his car last September. It was quite obvious at times that he was not fully healthy and yet he still was dominant force up front.
A valid argument is made by Farrar for Garrett taking the top spot above the likes of Nick Bosa and Micah Parsons.
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Perhaps Garrett’s most freakish attribute for his size (6-foot-4, 272 pounds) is his bend around the edge. Coaches call it “motorcycle lean,” and it’s expected of players 30 pounds lighter than Garrett.
Farrar would continue about Garrett’s athletic abilities and how he is able to get through the offensive line.
Adding to Garrett’s mythical athleticism is his knack for shooting and getting skinny through gaps.
Garrett gets into places that nobody expects and is able create havoc in the backfield on a routine basis. The mentioned ability to get skinny is an asset that few possess.
One final note is how versatile Garrett is with his approach as there is not just one way he gets around blockers.
Another issue you face with Garrett is that he’s got a full palette of moves at his disposal.
It’s clear why Garrett ends up as number one on this list. Even though lists like this are usually contentious with a select group of players rotating in the top few spots, Garrett clearly earns the number one spot.
The scary thing is that Garrett can even better for the Browns this season. A revamped defensive front and scheme along with a hopeful fully healthy season should see the top edge defender in the NFL soar to new heights that should keep offensive coordinators up at night. It is not if Garrett will make a game changing play, it is when and that should terrify every opponent on Cleveland’s schedule this season.