Dawgs By Nature
Another great pass rusher could be the Browns next goal
The Cleveland Browns have one of the league’s best defensive ends in Myles Garrett. Last season’s NFL Defensive Player of the Year was also named this year’s winner by the Sporting News.
But now comes the news that Garrett wants out of Cleveland. If the franchise does indeed trade him, who will step in?
RELATED: WEDNESDAY SENIOR BOWL DIARY
The defense is run by one of the greatest defensive minds in the NFL Jim Schwartz. He loves run-stoppers and can’t wait to unleash his pass rushers. Garrett is annually one of the league’s top sack leaders. There are several players in-house that have been used to man the other side of the edge to assist in helping Garrett out such as Jadeveon Clowney, Za’Darius Smith, and Olivier Vernon. But none have been dominating.
The replacement for Garrett could happen if the Browns drafted EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku in the second round of April’s NFL draft. Ezeiruaku had 16.5 sacks this past season along with 80 total tackles, three forced fumbles, and 21 tackles for loss.
In his sophomore season, he had 8.5 sacks and 61 tackles to two sacks and 53 tackles in his junior year. Then shot like a rocket last season. For his college career, Ezeiruaku had 30 sacks with 47 tackles for loss and 215 total tackles.
He is ranked #33 so he should be available when the Browns use the first pick in Round 2.
At the Reese’s Senior Bowl, DBN’s Barry Shuck sought out several pass-rushing prospects and Ezeiruaku’s 16.5 sack season stood out.
Q: You have been called undersized. What will NFL teams immediately notice about your playing skills?
A: I feel I am a dynamic pass rusher. I have a deep range of moves I can go to and bring some power at the same time. That separates me. But I also have the versatility to come in, drop-in space, and play the run exceptionally well.
Q: How would you handle transitioning from a 3-4 to the 4-3?
A: I played in the 4-3 in my first years at Boston College. It affects the nose and linebackers more, but not so much coming off the edge honestly. Maybe some verbiage and language changes. But I can play hand in the ground 3-4 defensive end, or stand up and play linebacker hybrid. Or play a designated pass rusher. I learn fast so don’t think it will be an issue.
Q: You exploded your game from your junior year to last season. What changes were made?
A: I have said this a lot, I was playing free and having fun. That is what got me here in the first place. And what I mean by ‘got me here’ was got me to BC. When I first got to college, I was just playing tackle...
