2017 NFL Draft Prospects to Watch: Dec. 26-29 Bowls

Sep 5, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Myles Garrett (15) celebrates his sack against Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Mike Bercovici (2) (not pictured)in the first quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 5, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Myles Garrett (15) celebrates his sack against Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Mike Bercovici (2) (not pictured)in the first quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
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2017 NFL Draft Myles Garrett
Sep 24, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Myles Garrett (15) in game action against the Arkansas Razorbacks at AT&T Stadium. Texas A&M won 45-24. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

Texas Bowl: Myles Garrett (DE – Texas A&M)

When the likely first-overall selection of the 2017 NFL Draft is on the field, all eyes (especially those in Cleveland) will be on number 15 in maroon and white. Kansas State head coach Bill Snyder has been around college football for a long time, but even he may have a difficult time game planning for Myles Garrett.

Garrett is widely-considered the best prospect available in the 2017 NFL Draft, and according to Adam Schefter of ESPN, is graded very high by the Cleveland Browns who are currently set to pick first overall.

Despite being limited to just 10 games this season, Garrett has still managed to record 8.5 sacks and 15 tackles for a loss. One aspect of Garrett’s game that has to be appealing to NFL teams is the work he puts in to turn his weaknesses into strengths. After his freshman season, the biggest knock on Garrett was his play against the run. In 2015, he went from being the 104th ranked 4-3 defensive end by Pro Football Focus as a freshman, to 45th best as a sophomore.

Entering this season, technique, specifically hand usage, was viewed as his biggest weakness. He once again improved in this area significantly, shedding blocks much quicker and more frequently than ever before. That includes this move against Alabama left tackle Cam Robinson, projected to be the first offensive lineman selected in the 2017 NFL Draft, in which Garrett gets his hands inside Robinson’s shoulder pads and tosses him aside to make the stop in the backfield.

Unless the Browns fall in love with one of the quarterbacks, although that would be a more reasonable selection with their second first-round pick, Garrett will soon be calling Cleveland home.