Myles Garrett just secured the bag. And not just any bag—a record-breaking, NFL-altering, “highest-paid non-quarterback in league history” kind of bag. Cleveland locked in their superstar pass rusher with a four-year extension averaging $40 million per season, guaranteeing him $123.5 million. Translation? The Browns aren’t just paying Garrett to rush the passer; they’re paying him to be the foundation of their defense. But here’s the real question—who’s lining up alongside him? Enter Abdul Carter.
The Penn State wrecking ball is on every team’s draft board, but the Browns seem to be making it personal. Carter has already made the rounds with the Giants, Patriots, and Titans, but Cleveland? They’re doing more than just scouting—they’re wining and dining. Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, EVP JW Johnson, and GM Andrew Berry sat down for dinner with Carter and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, in State College. That’s not just a meeting; that’s a full-court press. And if you think this is just routine pre-draft homework, think again. This is a team mapping out their future.
Carter, widely viewed as a top-four prospect, is already making calculated moves. His draft visit list? Just four teams. That’s confidence. But the Browns might just be the most aggressive suitor. They’ve already hosted Carter at their facility earlier this month, making this dinner their second big sit-down. If that doesn’t scream “serious interest,” what does? The timing is also suspiciously perfect—right before Penn State’s Pro Day. Carter didn’t participate due to a shoulder rehab, but that didn’t stop the Browns from showing up.
Of course, there’s still some draft-day intrigue. The Tennessee Titans, sitting with the first overall pick, could throw a wrench into Cleveland’s plans. If they pass on Miami QB Cam Ward, things could get wild. Cleveland could take their own swing at a quarterback—maybe Shedeur Sanders? But with Garrett locked in long-term, pairing him with Carter sounds like the kind of defensive nightmare that AFC quarterbacks don’t want to think about. And let’s be honest, Cleveland’s last real QB swing didn’t exactly age well.
And speaking of nightmares—opposing offensive lines might be having one already. Carter, a 6’3″, 250-pound athletic freak, has drawn comparisons to Micah Parsons. His explosiveness, his versatility—he’s built for the modern NFL. If he falls to No. 2 and Cleveland pulls the trigger, that Browns pass rush would go from scary to straight-up illegal. Myles Garrett on one side, Abdul Carter on the other? AFC North quarterbacks might start contemplating retirement plans.
The countdown to April 24 is on. The Browns have a golden opportunity to turn their defensive front into a juggernaut. And if Carter’s dinner meeting was any indication, they’re ready to make their move. The only question left? Will Cleveland actually pull the trigger, or are we in for some draft-day chaos?
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