Browns: 5 best defensive players halfway through the season

#1 – Myles Garrett

There is no surprise that Myles Garrett is number one. While I’ll never be comfortable paying one a defensive end as much as Garrett is making, that doesn’t take away from the fact he’s attempting to earn every cent of it. While he’s often a non-factor on defense against the rush, Garrett has stepped up this year compared to years past with getting to the quarterback. So while he only has 25 tackles on the year (less than Denzel Ward), he leads the team in sacks (9), fumbles forced (4), tackles for a loss (5), and QB hits (13).

His impact against the passing game is noticeable but he does, for whatever reason, disappear for stretches sometimes. Garrett wasn’t very effective in the first few weeks of 2020, or the closing weeks of 2019. Garrett has also played a full season just once in his four years in the NFL. He’s also now currently dealing with knee and ankle issues at the bye week.

None of that takes away from the fact that Garrett has been the very best player on the Browns defense in 2020 and a top 10 player on defense in the NFL. A clear Defensive Player of the Year candidate, Garrett has to remain focus and determined (as well as healthy) in the last eight games of 2020.