High expectations for Garrett
When you think of pass-rushers out of Texas A&M, you think Von Miller, the Super Bowl dominance, and the record-setting contract.
When you think of freak athletes, you think Jadeveon Clowney, the combine exploits, and the former first-overall pick’s enormous upside.
Myles Garrett may have to live up to being compared to both.
Already considered the favourite to go No. 1 overall when the Cleveland Browns are finally on the clock at the 2017 NFL Draft on April 27 in Philadelphia, the Aggies defensive end might’ve sealed the deal with a dazzling combine display Sunday in Indianapolis. It was something he predicted. “I feel like I’m the best player in the draft,” Garrett said from the podium at Lucas Oil Stadium when he arrived at the combine. “I feel like I’ll prove that.”
After weighing in at a chiselled 272 pounds and standing 6-foot4, Garrett went out and clocked a time of 4.64 seconds in the 40-yard dash and hopped to a 41-inch vertical.
The cherry on top was Garrett pumping out 33 reps on the bench press despite outlandishly long 35 1/4 inch arms, perfect for wrangling quarterbacks to the ground.
A statistical comparison from the NFL’s research department provided context, showing that Garrett measured in taller than Atlanta Falcons star receiver Julio Jones, heavier than New England Patriots matchup nightmare Rob Gronkowski, posted a 10-yard split quicker than Falcons running back Devonta Freeman and ran the 40-yard dash faster than Miami Dolphins slot receiver Jarvis Landry.
For more context, Garrett’s 40 time, while carrying about 70 additional pounds, was faster than six of the wide receivers at the combine.
That’s the definition of an athletic specimen and sort of unfair.
Clowney flying to a 4.53-second time in his 40-yard dash at the combine back in 2014, helping him convince the Houston Texans to take him at No. 1, is about the only number Garrett couldn’t match, but that’s nitpicking.
Garrett did, however, out-jump Clowney by four inches and put up 12 more reps on the bench.
Combine week is more about measurables than production, but Garrett has that, too, rolling up 47 tackles for loss and 31 sacks over his three seasons in College Station, all as an impact starter.
Going first overall means something to Garrett.
“Shows I’m top dog at least at the beginning,” Garrett said. “Once I’m in the NFL, I can’t just hang my hat on that, I have to keep rising.”
Much has been made about the Browns unfortunately landing the top pick in a year with no obvious franchise quarterback candidate, but it’s clear Garrett is more than just a consolation prize.
TYROD TO CLEVELAND?
The quarterback dominoes will start falling when free agency opens this week, and it looks like Tyrod Taylor will be a big part of it.
Conflicting reports have emerged recently, some saying the Buffalo Bills are leaning towards exercising their contract option on the quarterback, but just as many saying they’re moving on.
On Sunday, you can add another to the “moving on” pile from Jason La Canfora of CBS, who reported not only that the Bills are ready to cut ties, but that the Browns are the team with “significant interest” in Taylor as a free agent and are zeroing in on the 27-year-old.
The Bills have until March 11 to decide what to do at the quarterback position.
QUICK HITS
The Washington Redskins and head coach Jay Gruden agreed to a contract extension that will take him through the 2020 season. Gruden is 21-26-1 in three seasons as a head coach … WR Alshon Jeffery’s agent and the Chicago Bears had a “positive meeting,” according to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, and there’s a chance they strike a deal before he becomes an unrestricted free agent on Thursday. Jeffery wants to play for a contender, but he’s also looking to cash in with a contract that exceeds the $17 million Pittsburgh Steelers star Antonio Brown will now make annually … Considering CB Stephon Gilmore is reportedly looking for $14-million-plus, his days in a Bills uniform are likely over … One player not helping himself at the combine was Florida State RB Dalvin Cook. Once thought to be a top-10 possibility, Cook may have slid out of the first round altogether with pedestrian results across the board, other than a good 4.49-second showing in the 40 … Rumours of free-agent WR DeSean Jackson landing with Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a complement to WR Mike Evans are heating up.