(SP) – The Cleveland Browns say they are continuing to look at various options with the No. 1 overall pick and admit they have cooled a bit on Myles Garrett after the Texas A&M defensive end expressed a strong desire to play for the team.
“Obviously Myles is an impressive player with a lot of upside,” said Browns general manager Sashi Brown. “That said, football I.Q. is a big part of what we evaluate in a player and we are growing concerned it’s just not there for him.”
Garrett repeatedly proclaimed this week that he would “punish” the Browns if they don’t use the top pick on him, telling ESPN: “I’m gonna start winning and winning now. And because if you don’t draft me No. 1, I will punish your team for the next 10 to 12 years. I’ll knock your QB out of the game every time we play you, and I’ll have to kick the hell out of No. 1, whoever it is.”
Cleveland’s GM said that he “appreciates” Garrett’s enthusiasm, “but that’s just not realistic for him to say. Best case scenario with the Browns, we win in three or four years, not now. And the idea that he will punish us if we don’t draft him? Laughable. We’re the Browns. We ruin the careers of people we do draft. Come on.”
With Garrett likely off the board, the Browns are set to move onto someone a bit more grounded in reality.
“We want a good player, but we need someone with some knowledge of how the NFL works,” said Brown. “I just don’t think Myles Garrett is mentally able to deal with a few 3-13 seasons. Our model player is Joe Thomas: productive on the field, but can handle crushing and sustained disappointment. Getting players like that is the only chance we have of turning this franchise around.”
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