Somewhat overshadowed by the franchise-tag deadline deals that did or didn't get done the last two days was a signing of a player that was still two years away from free agency. The Browns made sure they wouldn't have to worry about a contract for Myles Garrett for a while, giving him a 5-year, $125 million contract. He's the highest-paid defensive player in history.

Considering both casual and diehard fans are likely to most associate 2017's No. 1 overall pick with clubbing Mason Rudolph with his own helmet last year, it's a remarkable commitment on the part of the Browns. But aside from that incident, he's been pretty awesome since entering the league.

In his first three seasons, Garrett has 30.5 sacks in 37 games. Over the last three years, only three players (minimum of 15 sacks) have more sacks per game. Garrett also has 65 quarterback hits -- not counting the Rudolph incident -- in those games. Only Aaron Donald has more per game in those seasons.

SACKS/QB HITS, 2017-2019
Player G Sk QBHSk/GQBH/G
Chandler Jones4849771.021.60
Aaron Donald4644920.962.00
Cameron Jordan4840.5740.841.54
Myles Garrett 3730.5650.821.76
Joey Bosa3929.5610.761.56
Danielle Hunter4836520.751.08
T.J. Watt 4734.5700.731.49
Ryan Kerrigan4431.5500.721.14
Jason Pierre-Paul4229.5490.701.17
Von Miller4732.5690.691.47
J.J. Watt2920510.691.76
Chris Jones4531620.691.38
Justin Houston4329.5500.691.16
Khalil Mack4631.5540.681.17
Calais Campbell4831.5770.661.60
Frank Clark 4630620.651.35
Dee Ford3321.5420.651.27
Everson Griffen4126.5620.651.51
Yannick Ngakoue4729.5710.631.51
Mario Addison4729.5410.630.87
DeMarcus Lawrence4830650.631.35
Cameron Heyward4729630.621.34
Shaquil Barrett4526.5560.591.24
Robert Quinn4526.5490.591.09
Ezekiel Ansah3218.5320.581.00
Za'Darius Smith4625.5780.551.70
Melvin Ingram4524.5530.541.18
Carlos Dunlap4624.5660.531.43
Terrell Suggs4724.5440.520.94
Olivier Vernon3317440.521.33
Bruce Irvin4523410.510.91
Michael Bennett 4724690.511.47
Matt Judon4824.5720.511.50
Preston Smith4824600.501.25
Julius Peppers3216280.500.88
Dante Fowler4723.5320.500.68
Geno Atkins4823.5490.491.02
Bud Dupree4723370.490.79
Jadeveon Clowney4421.5550.491.25
Cameron Wake3919550.491.41
Trey Flowers4421660.481.50
DeForest Buckner4822.5560.471.17
Brandon Graham4722420.470.89
Matthew Ioannidis4420.5440.471.00
Akiem Hicks3717410.461.11
Clay Matthews4319440.441.02
Fletcher Cox4619.5610.421.33
Jonathan Allen 3615310.420.86
Denico Autry4217.5310.420.74
Jurrell Casey4518400.400.89
Jordan Jenkins4618370.390.80
Devon Kennard4618360.390.78
Vic Beasley4618250.390.54
Grady Jarrett4617.5450.380.98
Gerald McCoy4517580.381.29
Kenny Clark4416.5220.380.50
Takkarist McKinley 4516.5380.370.84
Adrian Clayborn4516370.360.82
Kyle Van Noy4415.5340.350.77
Jabaal Sheard4515.5360.340.80
Carl Nassib4515.5330.340.73
Vince Williams4415330.340.75
Jerry Hughes4815.5380.320.79

Garrett's play hasn't yet had a transformative effect on Cleveland's defense. The Browns haven't ranked higher than 20th in sacks in any of those years. But maybe keeping Garrett on the field for all 16 games (he's missed 11 total his first three seasons) will make a difference. They're certainly paying him to be that guy.

--Andy Richardson