The Case For Myles Garrett To Win NFL Comeback Player of The Year

• Myles Garrett is listed at +1400 odds to win the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award.
• Washington Football Team quarterback Alex Smith has the shortest odds at +400 to win the 2020 Comeback Player of the Year Award.
• Myles Garrett has +1400 odds to win the NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns have been the laughing stock of the NFL for the past decade. Through the many losses, the Browns have always been able to draft some of the best talent in the draft. This offseason the Browns made one of their former No. 1 overall picks one of the highest-paid defensive players in the NFL after three seasons in the league.

This offseason Garrett signed a 5-year $125 million dollar extension with the Browns as he’s been one of the most important pieces in Cleveland’s defense. Garrett has shown that he’s worthy of the big contract especially after last season where he recorded ten sacks on 29 total tackles despite his season being cut short due to his on-field skirmish with Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph.

The suspension caused Myles Garrett to miss the Browns final six games and forced him out being considered for the Defensive Player of the Year award. However, that same suspension could be the reason why Garrett gets the Comeback Player of the Year award in the upcoming NFL season.

Garrett’s Case To Win Comeback Player Of The Year

Myles Garrett being listed at +1400 odds to win the Comeback Player of the Year (CPOY) award is worth keeping an eye on.

Garrett’s suspension last year derailed the Pro Bowl type season he was having. Garrett was starting to show exactly why he was taken with the first overall pick in the 2017 draft and his anticipated comeback from the suspension could make his odds shorter for the CPOY consideration.

This award has generally gone to players who have returned from injuries but in this case Garrett’s suspension could be used as a comeback story especially if he comes back playing at a higher level than he did last year, which is possible. However, the biggest downside to picking Garrett’s +1400 odds is the players in front of him.

A majority of those players are returning to the NFL from major injuries as opposed to a major suspension. Alex Smith, Cam Newton, Ben Roethlisberger, and Matthew Stafford all suffered injuries that caused them to miss major parts of last season. Thus, their comeback stories are likely to put them above Garrett in consideration despite whatever numbers the Texas A&M product puts up.

What could possibly help Garrett’s case for the award is that he’s started the 2020 season with an injury. Although it’s a minor injury this is something to note because this all goes into consideration for Garrett’s comeback story.

DE Myles Garrett (hamstring) won't practice today, the Browns' 1st in pads, Stefanski says.

— Andrew Gribble (@Andrew_Gribble) August 17, 2020

All in all, it’ll be tough for Myles Garrett to win the Comeback Player of the Year award due to the injured players with shorter odds than him on the board and the reason for his comeback. That still shouldn’t stop Garrett from being one of the most productive defensive linemen in the NFL but his odds to win the Defensive Player of the Year award are the same at +1400 and he’s far more likely to win that over the CPOY.

The only reason to take Garrett is if a bettor is fishing for a long shot pick for this award.