Myles Garrett isn’t just a dominant force — he’s now officially in the conversation as the most feared defensive player in the NFL.
CBS Sports analyst Pete Prisco recently released his annual Top 100 NFL Players list, and the Cleveland Browns’ star defensive end was ranked No. 2 overall, behind only Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. That means Garrett was not only the highest-ranked defensive player, but also placed ahead of names like Aaron Donald, T.J. Watt, Micah Parsons, and Nick Bosa.
It’s a bold take, and one that’s sure to stir up debate — especially among fans who still view Aaron Donald as the league’s gold standard on defense. But based on production and impact, Garrett’s case is stronger than ever.
“Garrett had 14 sacks to finish second in the league, but his impact was much more obvious than that number,” Prisco wrote. “He is an elite game-wrecker as he turns 30 this year.”
The Stats Don’t Lie — But They Don’t Tell the Whole Story
Garrett finished the 2024 season with:
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14 sacks (2nd in the NFL)
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22 tackles for loss (1st in the league)
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All 17 games started
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First-Team All-Pro honors
But as Prisco notes, Garrett’s true impact often transcends the box score. He consistently draws double teams, forces offenses to change protection schemes, and wreaks havoc even when he doesn’t register a sack. Quarterbacks feel his presence before the snap and usually after it.
This was the first time in five years Garrett earned First-Team All-Pro honors — a recognition that felt overdue given his production over the last half-decade.
Historic Consistency and Production
Since entering the league as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Garrett has done nothing but dominate:
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102.5 career sacks
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Double-digit sacks in 7 straight seasons (excluding his rookie year)
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Career-high 16 sacks in both 2021 and 2022
Very few players in NFL history have sustained such elite pass-rushing production over a seven-year span. And Garrett shows no signs of slowing down.
Trade Rumors? Contract Drama Ends in Massive Extension
Earlier this offseason, rumors swirled about a possible trade involving Garrett, sparked by murmurs during the 2025 NFL Draft. At the time, Cleveland fans feared a potential rebuild or roster shakeup. But the Browns front office quickly put those rumors to rest by locking down their defensive cornerstone with a historic extension.
Garrett signed a four-year, $160 million deal, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history at the time of signing. The message was clear: Cleveland sees Garrett not just as a key player, but as the foundational identity of their defense.
Final Word: Is Garrett the NFL’s New Defensive King?
Being ranked second on a list of the NFL’s top 100 players is no small feat — and being the top defender on that list makes a statement. For years, players like Aaron Donald and T.J. Watt have dominated the spotlight. But in 2025, it might be Myles Garrett’s era.
Whether or not he truly is the best defensive player in football is still up for debate — but one thing is certain: he’s in the conversation, and he’s not going anywhere.
