(Photo: PFF)
I’ve been following Myles Garrett since his college days with the Texas A&M Aggies. When I saw him play in college, I said to myself that he was destined to be a star at the next level in the NFL. After he was drafted, I remember Bruce Smith saying he wanted to work with Myles and help him add a few things to his game. That alone is an honor, as a Hall of Famer saw something special in him. Although the Cleveland Browns haven’t been one of the league’s best teams, Myles has been the brightest spot for the franchise over the last several years. Last year, he announced that he wanted to be traded, and a month later, he signed a contract extension to remain in Cleveland. Once again, those trade talks started back up, and the move finally happened. The Los Angeles Rams have agreed to acquire the All-Pro defensive end from the Browns and have sent Jared Verse to Cleveland.
Not only is Myles the best defensive player in football, he is also the best overall player in the game today. When Aaron Donald retired, I immediately said that No. 95 would become the best defensive player in the league. Whenever teams prepared to face the Browns, Myles’ name was the first one brought up in meetings. That’s when you know you’re dealing with a special player because offensive stars are usually the first focus of a game plan, but everything started with Myles. This is a player who weighs 271 pounds and moves with the speed of a running back. Just imagine seeing that coming at you at full speed. What makes him elite starts with his explosive first step. Offensive linemen often lose the rep before they can even get set. Then there’s the combination of power and speed. Myles can either run straight through you or beat you around the edge. Third is his pass-rush arsenal. He can win with swim moves, cross chops, bull rushes, and inside counters, but most importantly, he always seems to have an answer when offenses adjust. He’s also a strong run defender. Myles may be known as a sack artist, but he consistently sets the edge and disrupts running plays. He possesses the kind of game-wrecking ability that forces offensive coordinators to dedicate extra blockers, tight ends, and chip help to slow him down. What makes Myles truly great is his consistency. He generates pressure week after week, even on plays where he doesn’t record a sack. As I mentioned earlier, his movement skills at his size are simply unfair. You can line him up almost anywhere, and he’ll create havoc.
Earlier this year, I compared Myles’ time in Cleveland to Kevin Garnett spending his prime with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Mike Trout spending his prime with the Los Angeles Angels. Now, the move has finally happened, and Myles is free. This acquisition reminds me of when the Rams acquired Von Miller from the Denver Broncos in 2021. The difference is that Von was nearing the end of his prime, while Myles is still squarely in his. The Rams aren’t just getting a great defensive player; they’re getting a defensive centerpiece who can elevate a unit from good to championship caliber.
