Which defensive prospects outside of Garrett have franchise-changing potential?

Matt Williamson is a former scout for the Cleveland Browns, and spent the last 10 years at ESPN as a scout and co-host of the podcast "Football Today."

The assignment for this article is “Which defensive prospects outside of Myles Garrett have franchise changing potential?”

Obviously, such players are very difficult to find and even in last year's draft class there might have only been two such players: Joey Bosa and Jalen Ramsey.

Garrett certainly fits the bill. He very much projects to being a franchise-changing type of prospect, which is why the Browns apparently have no interest whatsoever in trading the first overall pick.

But who else?

Again, this is not a term to throw around loosely! Currently, there are teams in the league that don’t have such a player, and while solid prospects like Jonathan Allen or Jamal Adams are worthy of early selections, they lack the supreme upside to change a franchise.

Of course there could be a later-round pick with loads of potential that hits on all that ability and becomes a star at the NFL level, but as it stands today, five defensive players should be discussed.

Reuben Foster

Foster got himself in trouble at the combine and his stock seems to be plummeting right now, but this is an exceptional all-around second-level player that can be the face of a defense for a decade. He could stand to improve slightly in coverage, but has all the ability to do so and already does everything you want from the position at a high level. Foster is an instant impact player. While he might not end up being Luke Kuechly or Ray Lewis, there should be many Pro Bowls in his future, which qualifies Foster for this honor.

Malik Hooker

With the success of the Seahawks' defense of late, many NFL teams are adapting a similar scheme. To play that properly, you must be excellent at free safety, as Seattle does in Earl Thomas. While he isn’t as physical or as strong of a tackler as Thomas, Hooker’s deep center-fielding skills are perfect for such a role. Comparisons to Ed Reed might be a little rich overall, but few have entered the league with the deep playmaking ability that Hooker already shows.

Marshon Lattimore

Lattimore is only a true one-year starter, but that is because of hamstring injuries and obviously Ohio State is an elite program that has had great corners. He played a lot of press-man in college, which greatly endures him to today’s NFL. Not only is he built well for such duties, but also has supreme speed and transition quickness as well. Just think of what Lattimore can possibly become once he gains experience.

Obi Melifonwu

There really isn’t a player comparison for Melifonwu. He is nearly 6-foot-4 and weighs 224 pounds with elite numbers in the 40-yard dash, broad jump, and vertical jump. Combine numbers don’t always translate into elite NFL production, but Melifonwu has gotten better every year of college. If this guy hits at the NFL level, he will hit huge. Melifonwu can play near the line of scrimmage or in deep coverage. Some are even looking at Melifonwu as a cornerback. In the end, he could be the perfect guy to lock down today’s athletic tight ends. If that is the case, Melifonwu could be a franchise-changer.

Solomon Thomas

Some look at Thomas as a “Tweener” prospect, but we must recognize that NFL defenses are in their sub packages an extremely high percentage of the time now. In such packages, Thomas is an ideal interior pass-rusher with power, quickness, and tenacity. He is an excellent athlete that can line up all over the line of scrimmage. He is smart and uses his hands and sets up blockers extremely well for his age. Although he doesn’t get the credit he often deserves, Michael Bennett is a franchise-changing player. Thomas could have a similar career.