​The Cleveland Browns will begin training camp later this month without defensive end Myles Garrett for the first time since 2016. After nine seasons in Cleveland, Garrett etched his name into the franchise and league record books, establishing himself as one of the game’s most dominant edge rushers. He owns the league record for most sacks in a single season with 23 and holds the Browns’ franchise record for career sacks at 125.5, a figure that may stand for a long time. Garrett has since moved on to Los Angeles, chasing Super Bowls with the Rams following a trade last May.
In Cleveland, Jared Verse is stepping into a prominent role opposite the departed star. Verse, while not quite at Garrett’s elite level, has proven himself capable of terrorizing the quarterback. Since entering the league as a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Verse has accumulated 99 pressures. That production, coupled with a pair of Pro Bowl selections and the 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year award, helped him land just outside the top 10 in ESPN’s ranking of the game’s best edge rushers for 2026.
ESPN polled league executives, coaches, and scouts to determine who they consider the top edge rushers today. The ranking blended those votes with the outlet’s own film study and research, resulting in a list that highlighted the league’s most feared pass rushers. Garrett, unsurprisingly, was the unanimous No. 1 selection, appearing at the top of every ballot. The list also featured other star names, including Micah Parsons of the Green Bay Packers, Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders, and Aidan Hutchinson of the Detroit Lions.
Verse is recognized as the first player listed as an Honorable Mention in the ranking. Executives offered praise for his development and potential, providing a glimpse into the reasons behind his elevated profile. One AFC executive remarked that Verse “improved in his second year with a better rush plan and sets up moves with better timing.” Another AFC executive said, “Love Verse, but some of the other rushers higher than him have more variety, whereas Verse is all power at times. But he’s only going to get better and have a great career. He’s a beast.”
While Verse isn’t Myles Garrett—whose presence on the defense made life easier for teammates and defensive coordinators alike—coordinator Mike Rutenberg should have little trouble crafting schemes that maximize Verse’s skills. The Browns will lean on Verse’s growing repertoire and the raw power that has drawn attention across the league as they prepare for the 2026 season and beyond. Verse’s emergence does not erase Garrett’s legacy in Cleveland, but it does set the stage for an intriguing era of edge rushing for the Browns, one that could yield formidable pressure off the edge for years to come.
Looking ahead to training camp, the Browns will need Verse to translate potential into consistent production, especially as the team rebuilds its pass-rush identity without Garrett’s historic presence. If Verse continues to develop his rush plan and timing, he could emerge as a steady force who complements Cleveland’s defensive schemes. The 2026 season will likely hinge on how well Verse can evolve, how the defense coordinates its front, and how the Browns balance pressure, coverage, and run defense. In the meantime, Garrett’s legacy remains a benchmark for the franchise, while Verse’s ascent offers a storyline to watch as Cleveland navigates another campaign in pursuit of a deeper playoff run and, perhaps someday, a return to elite sack totals.