CLEVELAND -- When the Cleveland Browns selected former Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, they expected him to be an impactful player, one who could wreak havoc in opposing backfields.
But Garrett is more than just a player who has lofty goals. He is willing to put in the work to reach his full potential, and the Browns’ coaching staff has taken notice of his furious work ethic.
“He is a physical specimen,” Browns defensive coordinator Gregg Williams said. “Rare in lots of physical characteristics. He is even further ahead this year on some of the conditioning regimens he has done than he was last year. You just shake your head. He is one of the few guys that I have had to coach that I know I am going to have to keep my hand on to hold back.
“One of the things with him is his over-working. He works so hard because he does not want to be good; he wants to be great. Sometimes, he can be his own worst enemy in that respect because he works so hard physically that he has to do a good job with recovery also.”
PHOTOS: Cleveland Browns DE Myles Garrett not satisfied with good, wants to be great NFL player
Despite being limited to 11 games because of ankle injuries and a concussion, Garrett registered 31 total tackles, including 19 solo stops and 12 assists, along with a Browns-best seven sacks and one pass defended during the 2017 season.
Because of that production, Garrett was named to the Pro Football Writers’ Association’s All-Rookie Team.
“The next thing is this -- and he knows -- if he stays healthy, watch out,” Williams said. “Now, we have become better in the back end. Allow the quarterback to hold the ball longer than 2.13 seconds, now watch. In camp out here in this whole camp, if you were to ask anybody on the offensive staff or ask anybody on the offensive line who gives them nightmares, it would be him.
“Tyrod has gone, ‘Yeah, better get rid of it quick. Better know where he is.’ They did not do certain things in camp to where they can do some double protections and shift protections because we do not want to hurt anybody, but Myles has taken another big step. Staying healthy, I would see him making a big breakout year.”
Garrett missed the first four games of the 2017 season because of a high ankle sprain that he suffered in practice leading up to the opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
But when Garrett was on the field, he was a difference maker, registering a team-leading seven sacks in just 11 games.
“Myles sets high expectations for himself, just like everybody else,” defensive line coach Clyde Simmons said.
“Being the former No. 1 overall, I think that is a good goal for him, just staying on the field. His natural ability has showed itself. I think that the more plays he gets to play, the more things you will get to see happen for him.”
