By Eric Fishbin

National Sports Editor

The Cleveland Browns find themselves with control of the first overall pick in the NFL Draft. Everyone knows the team is in desperate need of a quarterback, but the board for this year does not have a clear number-one QB who is projected to change a franchise for the next decade.

The next position to look at is defensive end. Myles Garrett from Texas A&M is the top choice without question. He has the ability to change a defense in his first year. 

The Browns have two first-round picks this year, and that might alter their decision regarding a trade. The coveted number-one pick in the draft changes value depending on the year, but Garrett is a talent that many NFL defenses would love to get. If the Browns decide to trade the number-one pick, they can still take a quarterback with the twelfth pick.  

First round picks are so important to teams because any player has the ability to change a franchise. Sometimes picks fail, like many of the Browns’ first-rounders in years past. This year is huge for Cleveland; don’t mess it up, take Garrett.

 

By Reed Schultz

National Sports Editor

With the NFL combine starting this weekend, teams are beginning to focus on the upcoming NFL draft taking place this April. One pick in the draft can determine the fate of a franchise for an entire decade. Just look at the 2000 NFL Draft when the Patriots in the sixth round took Tom Brady with the 199th overall pick.  

This year, the Cleveland Browns hold the number one pick. The consensus among draft experts is that Myles Garrett will be the first pick. This is the right choice for the Browns. While there are no “sure things” in sports, he’s as close as you are going to get. Garrett has the chance to change the Browns’ entire team.

Quarterback is the most important position in football. While the QB class is particularly weak this year, the Browns need to find a QB for the future. They haven’t had a consistent starting quarterback in years. While no quarterback should be drafted with the #1 pick, the Browns also hold the twelfth pick in the draft this year. Providing that he is still available, I think drafting UNC’s Mitch Trubisky with that pick would be a smart decision for the Browns.   

 

By Brandon Gardner

Maroon-News Staff

Myles Garrett will go first overall to Cleveland. The 272-pound defensive rusher ran a 4.62 second 40 time. Arguably this number is less important than it is made out to be with liberal use, but Garrett had an impressive 10-yard split to bolster his 40 time. Additionally, Garrett put up 225 lbs. an impressive 33 times. The 272-pounder also cleared 41 inches for his vertical and came second in the broad jump. He would be an excellent asset for the Browns. 

There are dissenters who will look at his numbers from last year and notice that he didn’t have an impressive number of sacks last year. Let me rebuke this by saying that his 8.5 sacks last year can most likely be attributed to teams choosing to run the ball in an attempt

to escape Garrett.

Cleveland desperately needs a quarterback; however, it’s going to be hard to say no to Garrett. In my mind, this is a no-brainer. The Browns should avoid overthinking the draft and go for sure-pick Garrett.