5 players who Cleveland Browns need to be great in 2020
4. DE Myles Garrett
There is no denying Garrett’s talent level (10 sacks in 2019, 30.5 sacks in three NFL seasons). But last year’s helmet-throwing incident with Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph cost him the final six games last year, and the league quickly turned an immediate indefinite suspension into a ban of just those six games. Players who have done less than what amounts to an on-field assault have been suspended longer.
But Garrett’s ability to enter the 2020 season with a clean slate, at least in terms of the immediate playing time repercussions of that incident, is great news for the Browns. Now the former No. 1 overall pick just has to put it all together consistently in his fourth season. The prospect of a lucrative long-term contract, after the team picked up his fifth-year option for 2021, should provide ample motivation.
#Browns GM Andrew Berry told RapSheet + Friends (https://t.co/CiKkY8tVHv) that he hopes Myles Garrett is with the #Browns for years to come. Why a long-term extension makes sense 👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼 pic.twitter.com/Xfe6oebpQU
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 5, 2020
Garrett won’t even turn 25 until late December, and ideally with a new level of maturity his best may be yet to come on the field. The Browns will need him to lead the pass rush again this year, and let’s assume he’ll be up that task.