NFL Draft 2017: 5 candidates to win 2017 Defensive Rookie of the Year

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Apr 28, 2017; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns first round picks, defensive lineman Myles Garrett , left, defensive back Jabrill Peppers , center and tight end David Njoku talk to the media at the Cleveland Browns training facility. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

EDGE. Texas A&M. Myles Garrett. 1. player. 53.

Texas A&M Aggies defensive end Myles Garrett was the first overall pick by the Cleveland Browns for good reason. Garrett racked up 141 total tackles, 47.0 tackles for loss, 31.0 sacks, seven forced fumbles, five pass breakups, an interception and a fumble recovery in three seasons with the Aggies.

He’s faced a lot of criticism about his effort and motor as an edge rusher but he’ll have a chance to silence his critics soon enough. In his final season, Garrett’s numbers didn’t quite jump off the page at you but he played on one leg for much of the season.

Garrett, however, showed that he’s healthy with a strong NFL Combine and Pro Day performance on separate dates. He ran a 4.64 40-yard dash, bench pressed for 33 reps and a 41.0-inch vertical leap at the NFL Combine.

After two strong workout performances, Garrett showed his work ethic, now he just needs to translate that to game situations. With the haul of players the Browns brought in to help Garrett, he shouldn’t have a tough time vying for Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2017.

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