​When the Cleveland Browns selected Myles Garrett with the No. 1 overall pick in 2017, analysts hailed him as a generational pass rusher—the kind of talent who seemingly appears only once every couple of decades. That kind of hype can often backfire, foreshadowing outcomes similar to Jadeveon Clowney, but in Garrett’s case the praise proved prescient. Now with the Los Angeles Rams, Garrett was unanimously recognized by executives, coaches, and NFL scouts as the league’s premier edge rusher.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler captured the consensus on Garrett, highlighting his breadth of moves and the complete absence of identifiable flaws in his game. “He doesn’t get enough credit for just how powerful he is and how you feel that up close,” one NFL coordinator said. “Everyone talks about Aaron Donald’s power, but Myles is just as strong.” Garrett didn’t merely win with a clean pass rush; he did so against heavy resistance, converting on more than 20 percent of his 448 pass-rushing attempts despite facing a double team nearly 30 percent of the time. What elevates him is the set of challenges he overcomes and how he responds to them.
“He’s faced every conceivable form of help an offense can send his way—slides from offensive tackles, chips from tight ends and running backs, plays designed to run away from him—and he has a counter or plan for all of it,” an NFL coordinator said. “From a mental standpoint, it’s incredibly impressive.” Another NFC executive added, “His ability to feel and navigate the line without wasting movements is elite.” The Rams’ decision to bring Garrett aboard was significant: they surrendered at least one first-round selection (and a conditional first) along with Jared Verse, a fellow pass rusher who drew substantial pre-draft buzz. Still, the organization believes the investment is justified.
While some observers outside Los Angeles might question the price, the prevailing sentiment around the league suggests that Les Snead and Sean McVay are not alone in their confidence. Garrett’s arrival underscores a broader belief that his blend of power, technique, and instinct makes him a rare asset at the edge—one who can disrupt offenses even when schemes tilt toward mitigating his impact. The Rams’ gamble reflects a wider confidence in Garrett’s ability to maintain elite performance at a position that often defines a team’s fortunes in the modern NFL.
The narrative surrounding Garrett extends beyond individual accolades; it’s about how a game-changing edge rusher can alter an entire defense’s dynamic. In an era when offenses continually adapt to neutralize elite pass rushers, Garrett’s proven versatility and relentless pressure presence stand out as a central pillar for the Rams’ long-term plans. As the league continues to evaluate his impact, the consensus remains clear: Myles Garrett is among the most formidable, if not the most formidable, force on the edge in today’s NFL—and his success with Los Angeles will likely influence how teams value and deploy top-tier rushers for years to come.