Browns' Myles Garrett Named PFWA's Defensive Player Of The Year
The accolades just keep on coming for Browns' star edge rusher Myles Garrett.
Just days after being named to the Pro Football Writers of America's 2023 All-NFL Team, Garrett was recognized by the organization again, this time being voted as the Defensive Player of the Year.
Garrett was honored along side 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, who was voted Offensive Player of the year and Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, who was named MVP.
The 2017 first overall pick maintained his game-wrecking status this past season, compiling 42 combined tackles, 14 of which were sacks. Through the first 10 weeks of the season Garrett was actually pacing the NFL with 13 of those sacks before earning just one more over the Browns' final seven games.
While the drop-off in sacks was abnormal he continued to be a force along the defensive line, finishing with 30 quarterback hits and 37 total pressures. According to PFF, Garrett also registered the highest pass rush win rate (27-percent) of anyone in the NFL this past season.
Earlier in the Week, Garrett was also named to the PFWA's All-NFL team. On Tuesday night he was recognized at the Greater Cleveland Sports Awards as the Professional Athlete of the Year.
Joining Garrett in being recognized by the PFWA were veteran guard Joel Butinio who made the organizations All-AFC team. Fellow offensive lineman Dawand Jones was also recognized with All-Rookie team honors.
Since the Pro Football Writers of America first started their process of selecting its own defensive players of the year in 1992, only four times has the player chosen by the PFWA not also won the NFL's AP Defensive Player of the Year. Those years were 1993 (Bruce Smith vs. Rod Woodson), 2010 (Clay Matthews vs. Troy Polamalu), 2013 (Robert Quinn vs. Luke Kuechly) and 2017 (Calais Campbell vs. Aaron Donald).
