Myles Garrett was the first overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. But during Cleveland Browns practices he’s just another rookie, practicing with the second and third teams.
Pro Football Talk’s Charean Williams reported that Garrett was working with the team’s reserves. Coach Hue Jackson was quoted as saying “Everybody’s to earn the right to play.” Making matters better for the Browns is that Garrett agrees.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Garrett said, per Williams. “I’ve got to prove myself. I haven’t shown any kind of resume or what I can on the NFL level so they have to see. I have to go from level to level, spot to spot and show that I can be successful.”
Certainly the expectation in Cleveland is that Garrett will be an impact starter. Teams don’t usually use first-round picks (let alone No. 1 overall picks) on second or third-string players.
But for the Browns — a team that has struggled mightily since returning to the NFL in 1999 — it only makes sense that the players earn the spots they settle in to. There’s no reason to think that Garrett will do anything but earn a starting position. But until he does, he’s right. He has no NFL resume. Making him earn a starting spot is only right.