Note to Browns: Sacks don’t always lead to Super Bowls | Jeff Schudel
Apr 05, 2025
Just think of all the sack dances Myles Garrett and Abdul Carter might perform on Sundays if both play for the Browns the next six seasons. Call it sacking with the stars.
Now take a guess the last time the team that led the NFL in sacks danced with the Vince Lombardi Trophy. It hasn’t happened si
nce the Denver Broncos pounced on quarterbacks for 52 sacks in the 2015 regular season and beat the Carolina Panthers, 24-10, in Super Bowl 50. The Broncos quarterback that year — Hall of Famer Peyton Manning.
The 2015 season, the last for Manning, was statistically the worst of his 17-year career. He played in nine games in the regular season and was 7-2, but he threw only nine touchdown passes and 17 interceptions. He posted a passer rating of 67.9. Prior to 2015, his fourth in Denver, his worst season was his rookie campaign with the Colts in 1998 when he threw 26 touchdown passes and led the NFL with 28 interceptions. He threw one interception and no touchdown passes in Super Bowl 50.
The Broncos won the Super Bowl because of their defense, but it wasn’t just the pass rush that made them dominant. They intercepted 14 passes and recovered 13 of their opponents’ 27 fumbles. Kicker Brandon McManus was 35 of 36 on PATs and 30 of 35 on field goal tries.
The Browns have the second pick in the draft April 24. General Manager Andrew Berry basically has four choices — pick Carter, Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders or Colorado cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter or trade the pick.
Berry could do something totally unexpected with the second pick by taking LSU tackle Will Campbell, Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham or Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty. But the Browns have much greater needs elsewhere.
Myles Garrett, shown against the Dolphins on Dec. 29, posted on social media Feb. 3 that he has requested a trade from the Browns. (Tim Phillis – For The News-Herald)
Using the second pick on Carter to pair him with Garrett would make more sense if the Browns were better situated at quarterback — or if they know they’d be acquiring Kirk Cousins in a trade with the Falcons after the draft.
Last week, I opined Berry should use the second pick on Hunter, and I am sticking with that. The Browns could get an edge rusher with the 33rd pick if they don’t use it on a quarterback or get one in the third round. He would not have the impact Carter would, but missing on Hunter would hurt the Browns at two positions.
The Steelers led the NFL in sacks every year from 2017-21, but never even won a playoff game in that span.
I’m not suggesting improving the pass rush isn’t important. I’m just saying the second pick can be better spent than by adding even a star edge rusher to pair with Garrett.
I didn’t know that
… until I read my Snapple bottle cap.
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