Recent Forum Topics › Forums › The Rams Huddle › round 7 pick 252, Chris Garrett, edge
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May 9, 2021 at 7:10 pm #129773
snowmanParticipantChris Garrett elated to join Rams as Concordia’s second NFL draftee
Edge rusher Chris Garrett put up some gaudy sack numbers when he played at Concordia-St. Paul. So, it was appropriate that after he was selected in the NFL draft last weekend, he received congratulations from one of the league’s premier sack artists.
Garrett was taken with the No. 252 pick in the seventh round by the Los Angeles Rams. And wishing him the best last Monday was Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt, who works out at the same suburban Milwaukee gym.
“I just told him, ‘I really didn’t know if I was going to get drafted or not,’ ” Garrett said of talking to Watt at NX Level Sports Performance in Waukesha, Wis. “And he was just telling me, ‘Congratulations and get to work.’ ”
Garrett had some Watt-like stats for the Golden Bears. As a sophomore in 2018, he had a school-record 16½ sacks in just 10 games. In 2019, he had 14 in 11 games.
The Golden Bears of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference didn’t play last season because of the coronavirus pandemic, but that didn’t affect Garrett’s draft status. He showed his stuff at the University of Minnesota pro day on April 1 and was even more impressive at a pro day Concordia held for Garrett two weeks later.
Garrett became just the second Concordia player drafted by the NFL, following defensive end Zach Moore, a sixth-round pick by New England in 2014. Garrett had broken Moore’s single-season school and career sack records, finishing with 36½.
“It was very special to see,” Moore said of Garrett being drafted. “I’m very excited for him. I can’t wait until his jersey comes out because I’m going to be the first to get one.”
Moore, who played in the NFL from 2014-18 with the Patriots, Vikings, Cowboys, 49ers, Panthers and Cardinals now works in the Phoenix area as a personal trainer. He has gotten to know Garrett over the past few years. He offered him congratulations after he was drafted and provided some tips about “absorbing the process” and making sure he’s “coachable.”
Garrett said he’s still waiting for it to sink in, that he was drafted out of a Division II school by a Rams team that led the NFL in scoring and total defense in 2020.
“Honesty, it’s unreal,” he said. “I still don’t believe it. I probably won’t until I get to the facilities.”
Garrett will join the Rams for their May 14-16 rookie minicamp. The plan is for Garrett to be moved from defensive end, which he played in college, to outside linebacker in their 3-4 scheme.
“A small-school kid who basically destroyed that league, but a fun player to watch,” Rams general manager Les Snead said of Garrett. “Has some initial juice that really gave him an edge in that league, and the sacks in the amount of games speak for themselves.”
Coming out of Milwaukee Lutheran High School, where he had nine sacks as a senior in 2016, Garrett was seen by many as a Division I talent. However, he had some issues with grades and wasn’t immediately given a scholarship.
When he became eligible, Garrett said he had offers to go to Wisconsin and Northern Illinois as a walk-on. But Garrett, who was mostly raised by his grandmother Ambretta Reid, grew up poor and paying tuition would have been difficult. So, he accepted a scholarship offer from Concordia.
“I thought he would be great,” said Concordia coach Shannon Currier. “I’m wrong often times. It’s not a science, obviously, from the NFL all the way down to Division II. But I really sensed he would be a difference-maker because he was so explosive.”
Currier was right. As a freshman, Garrett missed four games because of a sinus condition but still finished with six sacks in seven games. He finished his three-year career with 48½ tackles for losses and a Division II-record 15 forced fumbles in just 28 games.
“I’m an absolute fan of his game,” Moore said. “He just flies off the ball and just gets quarterbacks. That’s what we like as linemen. That was a pleasure to see. He broke my records, which was crazy to see.”
When the 2020 season was canceled, Garrett initially thought about returning to play in 2021. However, he eventually decided to declare for the draft and signed during the fall with agent Michael Hoffman.
“I felt like it was better just to work on the things that the scouts had already critiqued me on,” he said. “So, it wasn’t really challenging. I never (thought) that they were going to forget about me. It was getting myself ready to improve myself.”
One of the things the 6-foot-3 Garrett did was get stronger. Working out at NX Level, he has gotten up to 245 pounds after playing at 225 in 2019.
At the University of Minnesota pro day, Garrett’s 40-yard dash time was 4.83 seconds and his broad jump 9 feet. But two weeks later at the Concordia pro day, he ran a 4.73-second 40 and added 6 inches to his broad jump.
The Vikings put the Concordia pro day together and were the only NFL team to attend, but all of Garrett’s times and measurements were required to be entered into an NFL database.
Currier said the Vikings, Jacksonville, Denver and the New York Giants also showed plenty of interest in Garrett. The Vikings had their seventh-round pick, No. 242 overall, forfeited by the NFL due to a salary-cap violation, but Garrett said they were in contact during the draft about signing him as a free agent if he wasn’t selected.
“It was a lot of pitch stuff just like, ‘Hey, here’s our facilities and our coaches are great,’ and stuff like that,” Garrett said.
Garrett said more than 20 NFL teams contacted him about signing him as an undrafted free agent, but that became moot after the Rams selected him. He watched the draft from Milwaukee with his wife, Mikayla, and three-week-old son Taysom.
“They called me, and I thought it was a regular phone call because I kept getting calls from teams throughout the draft, and I’m like, ‘All right, hello, how are you doing?’ ” Garrett said. “I’m just thinking that they’re going to give a sales pitch, and they said, ‘We’re picking you.’ I couldn’t believe it.
“I think I was in so much shock I didn’t know how to react. It was weird. But right after the phone call ended, I was screaming and going crazy.”
The reaction at Garrett’s grandmother’s home in Milwaukee was similar.
“I called her and everybody she was with was screaming,” he said.
In St. Paul, Currier was thrilled to have his first player from Concordia drafted. He coached the Golden Bears from 2000-03 and began his second stint with them in 2016.
“I was real excited,” said Currier, who made Garrett a team captain in 2019. “He’s a great kid. He did everything that was asked of him and he invested in his teammates. He was never selfish. It was always about our team.”
Now, Garrett will try to make his mark with a new team. He is confident about making the adjustment to the NFL.
“I think my speed is something that’s going to translate just because it is something that teams see, and they know, ‘If we can train this guy to work better with his hands and things like that, he’s going to be dominant,’ ” Garrett said. “And I think I can be.”
After working out at the same facility with three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Watt, Garrett soon will be practicing with Rams tackle Aaron Donald, another three-time Defensive POY winner.
“You see that man right in the middle and you’re going to get a couple of free sacks just because of that,” Garrett said. “So, to say I’m excited, that would be an understatement.”
May 9, 2021 at 9:51 pm #129774
znModeratorCHRIS GARRETT
CONCORDIA COLLEGE ST. PAUL
EDGEHEIGHT 6′ 3″
WEIGHT 243 lbsRams select Chris Garrett with No. 252 pick in 2021 draft
Player Bio
In 2019, Garrett was a Cliff Harris Award finalist (small college defensive player of the year), first-team Associated Press All-American and Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Defensive Player of the Year after tying for the Division II lead with 14 sacks (among 69 tackles, 20.5 for loss) and seven forced fumbles, while also breaking up five passes in 11 games (10 starts). The Milwaukee native had excelled as a sophomore, as well, receiving first-team Associated Press All-American and team MVP honors, ranking fourth in Division II with 19 tackles for loss and 16.5 sacks (while also racking up 53 total tackles and three forced fumbles). He immediately displayed his potential as a true freshman in 2017, starting five of seven contests played and recording 44 tackles, nine for loss with six sacks, while forcing five fumbles on the year. The school did not play in the fall of 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns. — by Chad Reuter
Analysis
By Lance Zierlein
Overview
Raw but highly productive edge who could be targeted as a designated pass rusher by 3-4 defenses. Garrett’s approach was fairly simple at Concordia, as he used his get-off and athletic ability to simply work around less-talented tackles on the Division II level. Even so, he put some major marks in just about every impact category — and his processing and instincts to find rush counters is something to build upon. He’s tight-hipped and plays too tall to bend edges on the next level, so he’ll need to fine-tune his hands and his rush plan. His narrow waist and below-average limb thickness might mean he will struggle to hold desired NFL weight on his frame. While he can chase and pursue, he’s not strong enough to handle life at the point of attack at this juncture. He’s a potential practice-squad candidate early on.
Strengths
Insane college production over just three seasons.
Finished with 48.5 tackles for loss, 36.5 sacks and 15 forced fumbles.
Uses basketball footwork to scoot around edges.
Cat-quick outside jab to inside counter.
Natural instincts for sudden counters against oversetting tackles.
Goes hunting for strip-sacks once he gets corner turned.
Inside slants are a lot for blockers to handle.
Rangy chasing runners to the sideline.Weaknesses
Far superior athlete than competition he faced.
Frame is thin and relatively narrow.
Will get bulldozed off the point by NFL tackles.
Lacks play strength to unhinge from blocks.
Must learn to control blocking tight ends.
Hip tightness limits bend at the top of the rush.
Face-up rushing attack is there for blocker to punch.
Rush is upright and lacking quality hand work.May 9, 2021 at 9:52 pm #129775znModeratorLA what’s up?? Time to get to work!
Honored to be apart of this organization. No one is greater then God! All glory to him! https://t.co/zoANmo6Vvu
— Chris Garrett (@Garrettchris52) May 1, 2021
May 9, 2021 at 9:54 pm #129776znModeratorPosted by canadaram, moved by zn
Ourlads on Chris Garrett
Three-year starter, Milwaukee, WI. An undersized edge defender who has dominated Division II. Set an NCAA Division II career record for forced fumbles. Quick at the snap he uses his hands well to control blockers. Has the ability to set the edge with power along with lateral movement to track outside runs. Powerful arm extension keeps blockers at bay. Relentless in pursuit he has a non-stop motor. His excellent lateral movement helps him slop inside to make plays agains the run. Quick to change directions inline he makes adjustment to movement and makes a lot o plays with second effort. As a pass rusher his snap quickness creates problems for tackles as he can run around a blocker with a bend and drive to the quarterback. Has a quick counter move inside but usually just runs the edge agains the competition he plays. Will have to develop more of a counter move at the next level. He comes off a little high which delays his rush at times. With his lack of bulk he may have trouble against physical, athletic tackles at the next level. Definitely dominates his level of competition. No pass coverage or off the ball experience noted. A worthwhile project who will need some time to develop. 2019 Stats: 69 T, 20.5 TFL, 14 sacks, 5 PBU, 7 FF, 2 FR. Seventh round/UDFA
May 9, 2021 at 9:54 pm #129777znModeratorMay 9, 2021 at 9:55 pm #129778znModeratorKylo RN@real_kylo
Chris Garrett THREAD: EDGE from Div II Concordia. Absolutely DOMINATED that level of competition. He’s a clear 3-4 OLB. In 3 years he amassed 36.5 sacks, 48.5 TFL, 18 QB hits, 15 forced fumbles, 9 PBU. At 6’3” 241 lbs. with 33 in arms and 10 in hands opposing tackles couldn’t
handle him at all. His potential is through the roof. His agility scores were good to great and he’s a clear threat as a speed rusher. His get off is elite, a thing of beauty honestly. He uses his length well to stab and rip. He doesn’t possess elite bend but he wins with
Speed to power and a mean dip to rip to get under tackles. He’s a twitched up athlete. In the NFL he will need to get stronger to be an every down player particularly against the run but early on he could offer some juice as a 3rd down pass rusher. His effort is undeniable
And he’s relentless in every single snap. When he doesn’t get to the QB he times his jump really well to bat the ball or cloud passing lanes. When I watched him my first thought was Bruce Irvin out of West Virginia. He needs to work on developing counter moves for the NFL
Mostly bc he won so often with his first move that he never had to have a second move. Was really fun to watch. He’s also had a tough upbringing and battled through that to be a team leader and make it to this stage. His potential as a pass rusher is immense.
May 9, 2021 at 10:23 pm #129787znModeratorActually Garrett sounds great, fingers crossed for luck.
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May 9, 2021 at 11:55 pm #129791znModeratorActually Garrett sounds great, fingers crossed for luck.
This was written before the draft:
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2021 NFL Draft Prospect: Chris Garrett, DE, Concordia-St Paul
Chris Garrett is one of the best pass rushers in the entire Division 2.* https://www.nfldraftdiamonds.com/2020/04/chris-garrett/
You ever start reading about a prospect and have to do a second-glance to make sure you read it right? Division II Defensive End Chris Garrett has put up video game like numbers for the Golden Bears. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound sack machine out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin will be the steal of the 2021 NFL Draft.
In just three seasons Garrett set a NCAA Division II record for career forced fumbles with 15, and currently ranks third in Division II history with 1.3 sacks per game. Garrett amounted 16.5 sacks his sophomore season and followed that up with 14 sacks in 2019.
He enters his senior season with 36.5 sacks through 28 games. In a game against MSU Moorhead last season, Garrett sacked the opposing signal caller 5 times, finishing the game with 11 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 3 forced fumbles.
Here are all 5 sacks from Chris Garrett of @CSPBears #NSICFB @CSPBearsFB pic.twitter.com/ZrcGvplOEm
— NSIC (@NorthernSunConf) October 14, 2019
Throughout his time at Concordia, the game changing defensive player has 166 total tackles with 48.5 tackles for loss, 18 quarterback hits, 36.5 sacks for 251 yards lost and 15 forced fumbles. He has been named a First-Team All-American by just about anyone that covers Division II football, most notably by the Associated Press in 2018 and 2019.
Kyle Dugger in 2020 proved that if you have the talent it doesn’t matter where you play, they will find you. I find this to be the case coming up for Garrett this season, as a pass rusher like him is hard to come by these days.
Scouting Notes:
Chris Garrett is a sleeper prospect. Much like Kyle Dugger in the 2020 NFL Draft, Garrett is a physical freak of an athlete. He has a knack of getting to the quarterback. The kid knows how to go for the ball, that is something you have to teach kids, he is always looking for the ball. He has good size and speed off the edge, and is disruptive to opposing quarterbacks. – Damond Talbot, NFL Draft Diamonds owner
May 30, 2021 at 9:00 pm #130196znModerator“When you watch the tape, his pass-rush production is really what gets him on the radar.”
Inside the Draft: selecting @Garrettchris52 | @RocketMortgage pic.twitter.com/rI1hgFeiaA
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) May 29, 2021
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…
“He’s one of the highest – he’s basically one of the best pass rushers in Division II history, so we’re hoping for the best. He’s got to earn it. He’s got to create his own role and go from there,” senior personnel executive Brian Xanders said.
…
“I mean, this kid absolutely dominated his league,” scout Chance Trickett said. “He has 36.5 career sacks and 15 forced fumbles. And then when you watch the tape, his pass-rush production is what really gets him on the radar. He’s got good burst off the line of scrimmage, and his counter pass rush with violent hands is really what the recipe is for pass-rush production.”
June 7, 2021 at 11:10 pm #130346znModeratorI'm getting really excited for Garrett. He seems super aware of the situation he's in and like he's not gonna let any of that escape him. Ready to see what he can bring! https://t.co/cnDrRlXb4G
— RamsRegeared (@_RamsRegeared) June 7, 2021
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