In an annual survey of National Football League executives, coaches and scouts conducted by ESPN, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett has once again beaten out Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt for the league’s top edge rusher.
Garrett, who also won NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors for the 2023 season, was voted in first place in these rankings for the second consecutive season. Seventy percent of the first place votes went for Garrett.
Garrett’s dominance comes despite a drop in productivity according to most traditional stats. Garrett recored 14 sacks, 17 tackles for loss, 42 tackles, 30 quarterback hits, four forced fumbles and three passes defended in 2023. Those are down from 16 sacks, 18 TFLs, 60 tackles, 26 quarterback hits, two forced fumbles sand four passes defended in 2022.
