Most people remember the butt mask.
Honestly, it’s hard not to.
That moment in 2019 is burned into NFL history alongside other legendary trash talk fails.
But if you stop watching the highlight reels and actually look at the tape, something else stands out.
You see a freak of nature.
A guy who can do things that shouldn’t be physically possible.
We are talking about Myles Garrett, the first overall pick of the 2017 draft, and arguably the most dominant defensive force in football right now.
Myles Garrett: Who Is He?
Garrett isn’t just a guy who sacks quarterbacks.
Well, he is that, obviously, but he’s more than that. And this is where things get interesting.
From what I’ve seen in film study over the years, he’s evolved into a complete edge rusher.
He used to be a guy who relied purely on raw power—think a human wrecking ball.
But recently, he’s added finesse to the mix.
That’s scary because he’s already one of the strongest players in the league.
When the Browns traded up to get him, the expectations were massive.
Living in Cleveland, the pressure on this kid was almost unfair.
But he’s handled it better than most thought he would.
Breaking Down His Dominance
There is a reason why analysts keep putting him in the conversation for Defensive Player of the Year.
It comes down to three things: length, power, and hand usage.
Let’s break it down.
- Length: He’s 6-foot-6 and 275 pounds.
He has long arms that just seem to reach across the line of scrimmage and grab offensive tackles before they even know what’s happening.
- Power: He can bull rush you into the dirt. Oddly enough,
But he’s also athletic enough to swim or spin past you.
- Hand Usage: This is the part most beginners miss.
He’s learned how to use his hands to separate from blockers without using his hands recklessly.
It makes him a much harder player to game plan for.
Looking at the Numbers
It’s always good to look at the facts.
Even if stats don’t tell the whole story, they give you a baseline.
As of the last few seasons, Garrett has amassed over 90 career sacks.
That’s top-tier territory.
He’s also got 23 forced fumbles.
That number is huge.
In my opinion, a forced fumble is the most important stat for a defensive end because it changes field position instantly.
If you knock the ball loose, the defense takes over.
He’s also been named to the Pro Bowl multiple times and has earned First-Team All-Pro honors.
He’s doing exactly what he was drafted to do.
The Controversies and Redemption
Okay, we can’t ignore the stuff that made headlines. Now think about that for a second.
The helmet swing incident with Deshaun Watson? That was a dark time. And this is where things get interesting.
It cost him a chunk of the season and looked terrible on his reputation.
But here’s the thing about athletes: character matters, but talent keeps you on the field.
After that incident, Garrett didn’t sulk.
He came back hungrier.
It’s rare to see a player in that situation actually bounce back the way he has.
Most people would have crumbled under that kind of pressure.
He’s basically spent the last couple of years proving he’s not a villain.
He’s just a competitive guy who plays a violent sport.
Myles Garrett vs.
The Elite
Whenever Myles Garrett is discussed, the comparison game starts immediately.
Is he better than Nick Bosa? What about T.J.
Watt? Honestly, it’s close.
All three of them are generational talents.
But Garrett has that extra length that Bosa and Watt don’t quite have.
That allows him to set the edge better and rush from inside spots if he needs to.
It feels like he’s finally entering his prime.
The injuries are behind him, and his mechanics have tightened up. Oddly enough,
If you ask me, he’s the best pure pass rusher in the league right now. But there’s a catch.
But hey, I’m a biased Browns fan, so take that with a grain of salt.
Oddly enough,
Contract and Financial Impact
Let’s talk money for a second. Here’s the interesting part.
Myles Garrett signed a massive contract extension recently, making him one of the highest-paid defensive players in history.
That was a massive risk for the Browns. Oddly enough,
It means they need to win now.
If they don’t make a deep playoff run with him anchoring the defense, that contract is going to look like a mistake.
But the front office believes in him.
And honestly, from a roster construction standpoint, you don’t pay a guy that kind of money unless he’s your franchise cornerstone.
You can build around a QB; you can’t build around a defensive end.
Wait, actually, you *can* build around a dominant pass rusher.
Just look at the Rams with Aaron Donald.
If Garrett stays healthy, this deal looks like a steal for Cleveland.
But there’s a catch.
What’s Next for Garrett?
I think we’re going to see him break the all-time sack record eventually.
It might take a few years, but the trajectory is there.
He’s going to need to stay healthy, though.
The NFL is a violent game, and defensive linemesn wear down fast.
If he can stay on the field for 16 games a year and keep refining that hand technique, he’s going to be in the Hall of Fame discussion for the first ballot.
There isn’t anyone else in the league right now that strikes fear into offensive coordinators quite like he does.
Fantasy Football Impact
If you’re playing fantasy football, you already know.
Myles Garrett is a must-have in IDP leagues.
His sacks and forced fumbles are consistent production.
You don’t need a guy to get a ton of tackles; you want sacks and turnovers.
He provides both.
I’ve had him in my lineup for years, and he’s paid off every single time.
Anyway, the point is simple.
Myles Garrett is a special player.
The butt mask was embarrassing, sure.
But the player on the field is a nightmare for the opposition.
Cleveland finally has a true franchise player, even if he plays on the defensive side of the ball.
Image source: pexels.com
Image source credit: pexels.com