When the No. 1 pick is announced Thursday night, April 27 in Philadelphia, there's a good chance Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett will hear his name called. Not only would that represent the first time a player from College Station was taken No. 1 overall but it'd be just the 11th time in the 81-year history of the draft a pass-rushing defensive end was the first pick.
It's occurred just three times in the last 30 drafts, despite the growing need for pass rushers in the NFL, a league with an increased focus on throwing the football.
Considering how critical it is for defenses to apply consistent pressure on the opposing quarterback, it's a mystery as to why more edge rushers haven't been selected at the top.
MORE: Updated 2017 NFL Draft Order
Here's the history of pass-rushing defensive ends.
| YEAR | PLAYER | COLLEGE | TEAM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Jadeveon Clowney | South Carolina | Houston |
| 2006 | Mario Williams | North Carolina State | Houston |
| 2000 | Courtney Brown | Penn State | Cleveland |
| 1985 | Bruce Smith | Virginia Tech | Buffalo |
| 1982 | Kenneth Sims | Texas | New England |
| 1976 | Lee Roy Selmon | Oklahoma | Tampa Bay |
| 1974 | Ed Jones | Tennessee State | Dallas |
| 1973 | John Matuszak | Tampa | Houston |
| 1972 | Walt Patulski | Notre Dame | Buffalo |
| 1967 | Bubba Smith | Michigan State | Baltimore |
Garrett, widely considered one of the top three players in the 2017 NFL Draft, finished 2016 with pedestrian statistics, including 8.5 sacks — 4.5 of which came in one game versus UT San Antonio.But the 6-foot-5, 275-pound Arlington, Texas product was double-teamed all year and still managed 15 tackles for loss on a less-than-100-percent ankle.
Draft analysts project Garrett to go in the top 3 — HERO Sports' own Todd Worly mocked the star edge defender at No. 2 to the San Francisco 49ers — and if the Cleveland Browns keep the pick Garrett appears to be among the favorites at No. 1.
The Browns, who have needs at quarterback, running back and in the middle of their offensive line as well as on defense, also have pick No. 12 via trade from the Eagles last April. The way this class appears to bve unfolding, Cleveland could take a QB at No. 12, freeing them to take the best player available with the top pick, perhaps Garrett.
Also being suggested for the top pick are Alabama defensive lineman Jonathan Allen and North Carolina QB Mitch Trubisky.
Garrett has received comparisons to former NFL star Jevon Kearse, who tallied 36 sacks his first three season in the league, and Green Bay Packers Pro Bowl end Julius Peppers, whose 7.5 sacks this season at age 36 bring his career total to 143.5. Garrett has also been mentioned in a similar light as Jadeveon Clowney.
Kearse was the No. 16 pick in 1999 while Peppers went No. 2 overall in 2002. Clowney, of course, was the No. 1 overall choice three years ago.
Garrett fits any defensive scheme but the Browns may need a player of his abilities more than any team in the league. Cleveland managed just 26 sacks this season, No. 30 in the NFL ahead of only the Oakland Raiders. The Browns also ranked No. 30 in takeaways and only one team in the NFL was worse at stopping the run.
