MANY OBSTACLES
If they decided to pass on a quarterback at #1 or #2, there is a strong likelihood none of the top four names at the position will be available to them by the next time they pick. That includes the Browns who also hold the #12 pick. Looking at the board, there are likely three quarterbacks who could go in the top 10 with a fourth being worthy of the first round.
The list of teams that are serious threats to draft a quarterback can’t be ignored.
- New York Jets (#6)
- Los Angeles Chargers (#7)
- Buffalo Bills (#10)
- New Orleans Saints (#11)
- Arizona Cardinals (#13)
- New York Giants (#23)
- Houston Texans (#25)
- Kansas City Chiefs (#27)
All of those teams have either uncertain quarterback situations or aging veterans who appear ready for a serious regression in the near future. The top five alone are significant competition to Cleveland at #12, thus adding to the insistence that they just use the #1 pick to get their guy under center and instead use #12 as their “best player available” selection. San Francisco should be even more afraid given their next slot isn’t until #34 in the second round.
JUST ONE LUCKY BOUNCE
So what does this have to do with the Bears? By trading for Garoppolo and forcing the Browns and 49ers to go quarterback early, it causes a chain reaction that allows the best player in the 2017 draft to fall right into their lap.
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Myles Garrett is no joke. The Texas A&M defensive end is one of the most effective and physically gifted pass rushers to come out of college football since Jadeveon Clowney. His mix of size, speed, athleticism and strength show up on tape almost constantly. What NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein had to say about him rams the point home.
“Elite edge rusher who possesses rare explosiveness and the fluid-movement skills and agility of an NBA shooting guard. Good size, but he’s never likely going to be a hold-your-ground run defender, and might be best suited as an outside linebacker. However, his ability to explode into the backfield through a gap or around the edge gives him disruptive potential on every snap. Garrett still needs to fine-tune his pass-rush strategy and could stand to give more consistent effort from the start of the snap until the whistle. But his pass-rush production and athletic traits point toward an all-pro career.”
At this point in time there are few scenarios that envision Garrett slipping out of the top two picks. The most plausible way is by forcing the Browns and 49ers to go quarterback. John Fox has a history of reaching two Super Bowls with two different teams in his coaching career. Well those runs were both sparked by drafting elite pass rushers in the top five of the draft. Julius Peppers in 2003 and Von Miller in 2011. Getting the chance to pair somebody like Garrett across from Leonard Floyd, who is becoming a dynamic rusher in his own right?
What this defense could do to opposing quarterbacks moving forward would be borderline criminal. Is it a likely chance? No. Nonetheless it’s possible. The only thing needed to start the ball rolling is for that Chicago Bears Garoppolo trade to become a reality. Best start cheering Mr. Pace on that he can close the deal.
