INDIANPOLIS: Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett is the favorite in the eyes of virtually all draft analysts to be selected first overall by the Browns on April 27, but he’s not overlooking Alabama defensive tackle Jonathan Allen as a candidate for the top pick.
“He’s going for No. 1. So am I,” Garrett said during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. “There’s not real animosity between us, but we’re vying for a spot. I got to get it.”
Although there’s also a possibility the Browns could pick a quarterback at No. 1 -- Clemson’s Deshaun Watson and North Carolina’s Mitchell Trubisky excelled at the combine -- Garrett continued Sunday to build a strong case for himself with a stellar combine workout.
Garrett, 6-foot-4 1/2 and 272 pounds, posted an official time of 4.64 seconds in the 40-yard dash. His unofficial times were 4.64 and 4.74 seconds. Garrett had unofficial 10-yard splits of 1.63 and 1.69 seconds.
“Hello, Cleveland,” NFL Network draft guru Mike Mayock said during the telecast after Garrett’s first 40.
NFL.com analyst and longtime NFL player personnel man Gil Brandt tweeted, “Myles Garrett in the 40. Everyone playing for second place. Scout behind me: ‘We can all go home now.’”
Garrett led all defensive lineman with a 41-inch vertical jump.
“Without a doubt, the No. 1 guy we thought coming into this,” NFL Network analyst Charles Davis said on the air. “He said he thinks he’s the best player in this draft. I don’t think he did anything to change anyone’s mind.”
Garrett’s 40 time is comparable to those of other defensive ends who were No. 1 picks. At 6-5 1/4 and 266 pounds, Jadeveon Clowney posted a time of 4.53 seconds at the 2014 combine. At 6-7 and 295 pounds, Mario Williams had a time of 4.71 seconds at the 2006 combine.
Asked about Clowney, Garrett said, “I want to be compared to the greatest. [Clowney is an] athletic freak just like me, but I’m holding my bar pretty high.”
An outstanding 40 time doesn’t automatically make a defensive end worthy of the top pick, though. At 6-4 1/4 and 273 pounds, Emmanuel Ogbah had a 40 time of 4.63 seconds at last year’s combine. The Browns chose him 32nd overall, and he had 5 1/2 sacks as a rookie.
Of course, combine workouts are not close to the most important part of an evaluation. Mayock often explains the draft grades NFL talent evaluators assign prospects are 90 percent based on college game film.
Allen is so impressive on tape that Mayock considers him a “safer” pick than Garrett. Garrett’s effort and production isn’t as consistent, but his flashes of dominance in college and eye-opening measurables make Mayock think Garrett has “a higher ceiling” than Allen.
Allen, 6-2 5/8 and 286 pounds, posted an official 40 time of 5.0 seconds. His unofficial times were 5.0 and 5.02 seconds. He had unofficial 10-yard splits of 1.74 and 1.76 seconds.
Those results obviously didn’t meet Allen’s expectations because he said Saturday a 4.7 would be a good 40 time for him.
Still, there’s more to every player than combine numbers. For instance, NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah called Allen “the best technician in this draft.”
Allen listed his ability to play all positions on the D-line and lead as his other strengths.
“What I bring is a winning atmosphere, winning attitude, a leader, a guy who’s going to bust his butt every play, a guy who’s looking to come in and make an immediate impact,” Allen said.
But there is a medical concern with Allen. He’s had both of his shoulders surgically repaired. He said doctors have told him his left shoulder is arthritic but won’t cause him problems for 15-20 years. He said he has no restrictions and feels good.
At the combine, Allen bench pressed 225 pounds 21 times, 12 times fewer than Garrett’s 33 repetitions. Allen also had a 30-inch vertical jump.
“The competitor in me wants to be the first [pick],” Allen said.
Garrett also stressed going No. 1 is important to him.
“It shows I’m top dog, at least from the beginning,” Garrett said. “Once I’m in the NFL I can’t just, you know, hang my hat on that. I have to keep on rising.”
Perhaps he has already risen to the top of the Browns’ draft board.
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Browns blog at www.ohio.com/browns. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/NateUlrichABJ and on Facebook www.facebook.com/abj.sports.