Myles Garrett ranked as NFL's best edge rusher by Sports Illustrated

The Los Angeles Rams made a bold move to add star defender Myles Garrett, and it appears Garrett's value continues to rise.

Sports Illustrated ranked Garrett as the NFL's best edge rusher entering 2026.

"Without question, Garrett is the best edge rusher in the NFL—and perhaps even the best player in the game," wrote Sports Illustrated's Eva Geitheim. "This past season, Garrett made history, breaking the NFL’s official single-season sack record, tallying 23 sacks during the season as he captured his second Defensive Player of the Year award. He also owns the record for most consecutive seasons with at least 12 sacks, having achieved this feat in six consecutive years from 2020 to ’25."

"He has now been a first-team All-Pro in three consecutive seasons, and five times overall. He continues to make even the league’s best offensive linemen lose sleep as he adds more signal-callers into his quarterback graveyard. In 2026, Garrett will take his talents to Hollywood—O.K., Inglewood—after the Browns traded him to the Rams. With the trade, he’ll get the opportunity to add postseason success—and perhaps a ring—to his Hall of Fame résumé."

What the rankings mean

It means the Rams were more than justified in making the move for Garrett. There are rare situations in which a team should trade a Pro Bowl pass rusher before they've hit their prime, and if the Rams were to lose Jared Verse, Garrett is the only player that makes sense in the long run.

While the team loses out on Verse's potential long-term productivity, what they gain is the insurance of a pass rusher who is built for the big moment. The difference between the Rams winning and losing in the last two seasons has been their success at bringing down the passer. They have the undisputed king of sacks and the critical part is that they were able to add Garrett at a reasonable price.

Verse didn't make the top 10 of SI's list this season, showing just how highly regarded Garrett is compared to Verse.

This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Myles Garrett ranked as NFL's best edge rusher by Sports Illustrated