Here's a question I have.
I know Aaron Donald is one of the best (or the best) defensive player ever. Myles Garrett is perceived to be one of the best (if not the best) defensive player. Both could be considered the best defensive player of their time. Except from 2017 to 2023, they were playing at the same time. Over that span Garrett had 88 sacks and AD 83. It's more than sacks and stats but here's the tale of the tape
2017-2023
Aaron Donald 106 G / 106 GS; 14 PD; 20 FF; 6 FR; 83.0 sacks; 222 solo tackles; 157 asst; 119 TFL; 179 QBH
Myles Garrett 110 G / 97 GS; 16 PD; 17 FF; 5 FR; 88.5 sacks; 210 solo tackles; 95 asst; 94 TFL; 172 QBH
Most sacks in any year:
Garrett 23 in 17 GP
Donald 20.5 in 16 GP
How about the DL around them?
The most sacks a guy next to Garrett had, was 9 by Clowney in 2021. Olivier Vernon had 9 in 2020. The next highest #2 was Maliek Collins last year with 6.5.
The most sacks a guy next to Donald had, was 11.5 by Dante Fowler in 2019. 10.5 by Robert Quinn in 2014, 10.5 by Leonard Floyd in 2020.
Did AD have more of an impact on guys around him or is it just the case of Cleveland playing from behind more often? AD being a DT and Garrett a DE?
Our two young guns Kobie Turner and Byron Young had 9 sacks and 8 sacks respectfully, in ADs last year when he had 8. Turner followed that year up with 8.0 and then 7.0 last year. Young followed that up with 7.5 and 12.0 last year. Yeah, Young quietly had double digit sacks in his 3rd year. It's going to be interesting to see how many those two have alongside Garrett in his prime? Can't wait.