Fresh off a record-breaking 23-sack season, the Rams' new defensive anchor eyes the top spot among the NFL's most feared stars after another Defensive Player of the Year campaign.
Former Texas A&M star Myles Garrett is already viewed as one of the NFL’s most intimidating players, but perhaps even that label does not go far enough.
A recent survey from BetMGM Sportsbook highlighted Garrett’s place among the league’s most feared players entering the 2026 season. Garrett was ranked No. 3 on the list, only behind Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes. While that is certainly high praise, there is a strong argument that the new Los Angeles Rams defensive end should actually sit at No. 1.
Garrett is coming off a historic 2025 season in which he recorded 23 sacks, setting a new NFL single-season record. That performance earned him another Defensive Player of the Year award and further cemented his reputation as one of the most dominant pass rushers of his generation.
What makes Garrett especially frightening for opposing offenses is that his impact goes beyond simply accumulating sacks. Offensive tackles have to account for him on virtually every passing down, and his combination of explosiveness, power, and technique can completely disrupt an offense's game plan.
That is why it is fair to question whether anyone should be ranked ahead of him when the category is simply "most feared."
Garrett is also entering a new chapter of his career with the Rams after being acquired by Los Angeles during the offseason. The move gives him the opportunity to play alongside an already talented roster, and his presence has generated plenty of excitement around a team with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations.
His new teammates have already noticed the difference. Garrett has developed a strong presence at Rams training camp, with his physical ability and intensity standing out immediately.
For Texas A&M fans, Garrett's continued dominance in the NFL is another reminder of just how special his college career was. The Aggies star became one of the most recognizable defensive players in college football before becoming the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Now, nearly a decade into his professional career, Garrett has built a résumé that makes the argument for No. 1 difficult to dismiss. A record-setting sack season, multiple Defensive Player of the Year awards, and years of consistently elite production have made him one of the players offenses fear most.
Being ranked third is impressive, but Garrett may have a legitimate case to be the first name on the list.
