Eagles' Jordan Mailata faces big test against Browns' Myles Garrett – NBC Sports Philadelphia

Jordan Mailata is off to the best start of his career but will face a tough challenge on Sunday at the Linc.

Myles Garrett is coming to town.

And the reigning Defensive Player of the Year just doesn't seem to have any weaknesses.

“If you find a vulnerability, let me know,” Mailata said this week. “I would like to know. It's hard to find a weak point in Myles' game because the guy is a model. But we have a good game plan this week.”

Despite battling injuries so far this season and despite the Browns' lack of team success, Garrett has been as disruptive as ever. In five games, the five-time Pro Bowler has recorded 4 sacks, 8 QB hits, 2 forced fumbles and 4 tackles for a loss. While Garrett attacks from both sides, he usually positions himself on the right side of the defensive line. That leads to a fight with Mailata on Sunday.

According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Garrett has a total of 27 pressures already this season and his get-off time of 0.67 seconds ranks second in the NFL.

“I don’t even have to say anything,” Mailata said. “His film is a great example. I don't have to say anything about him. Just watch the film and see how explosive it is, how reactive it is. He has the fastest start in the league. That's noticeable and then you see the length with which he plays, the power with which he plays. The guy has a high football IQ.”

Mailata and Garrett met in 2022 and 2023 when the Eagles and Browns held joint workouts first in Berea, Ohio, and then in Philadelphia. They had the opportunity to meet during training and then spent time after training going over more tips.

What does Mailata remember about meeting Garrett?

“It was a long day. It was a long day,” Mailata said. “It's been a few years. I’d like to think I’m getting better.”

Mailata said Garrett was able to give him tips on what to look for in an offensive tackle during the rush – including where the tackle is shooting his hands and where the tackle's hips are during a pass-blocking set.

These tips helped Mailata. And he has worked to incorporate what he learned from Garrett over the past few seasons.

“Pretty valuable,” Mailata said. “It’s pretty valuable to get all these tips from him.”

The 28-year-old Garrett was the first overall pick in 2017 and has lived up to that draft status. He was a three-time All-Pro, a five-time Pro Bowler and had double-digit sacks in each of the last six seasons.

But Mailata is no slouch either.

Through four games, Mailata was one of the best offensive tackles in the NFL. The 27-year-old has given up just one sack and seven rushes in 163 pass-blocking snaps this season. According to ProFootballFocus, Mailata is the third-best tackle in the entire league.

But he hasn't passed quite as tough a test as Garrett this season.

“It was a unique situation because he’s one of the best guys out there,” Mailata said. “We sat there and talked to him for ages. I think that's what makes him such a bad player. He’s such a nice guy and then you go out into the field and he’s a nice guy and he’s trying to kill you at the same time.”

Mailata seemed to really enjoy getting to know Garrett after practicing together over the past few years.

But they didn't sustain it.

“No, this is my fault,” Mailata said. “I didn’t reach out to him. He told me to contact me after practice and I got his number, but I didn't text him back. I was busy.”

On Sunday they finally get the chance to meet again. It looks like it will be a fun fight.

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