Danny Shelton: The Missing Piece Of The Browns Defense?

By Joe Russo | Aug 5, 2015

Can Cleveland’s first year defensive lineman help make the team’s defense become not just better, but perhaps one of the best in the league?

With the 12th overall pick in this past 2015 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns drafted Danny Shelton, the massive defensive tackle out of Washington. His selection gives hope that he will be the key to finally unlocking the potential of what is now the highest paid defense in the league.

Are the Browns going to get the return on their investment? Is Shelton really someone who can play all three downs in the middle of the defense? There are plenty of questions, but Shelton might actually be the answer.

Related: Cleveland Browns Invest $82 Million On Defense In 2015

At least on early downs, Shelton looks to be a major upgrade. At 6’2 and 340 pounds, Shelton certainly has the frame and strength to stuff the run at the point of attack. He actually led the NCAA in fumble recoveries last year with five and notched 16.5 tackles for loss. Those are numbers that show he has the potential to be disruptive in the backfield and not just be a stereotypical “run-stuffing” big body.

If there’s anything against the run that was missing last season for the Browns, it was the ability to penetrate and get ball carriers down before they hit the second level.

Skeptics will points to his abysmal 5.64 time in the 40 yard dash at the combine. Shelton may not be the fastest man over 40 yards with no pads on, but an interior lineman that manages 93 total tackles (53 solo) and nine sacks as a senior is plenty athletic.

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After spending his college years facing up-tempo offenses from Oregon, Washington State, Arizona State, and Utah, Shelton has plenty of experience against passing attacks. As the NFL becomes more and more of a passing league, Shelton’s ability to provide pressure from the interior will be essential to any success the Browns have.

He even has his coaches impressed. In an interview with the Akron Beacon-Journal’s Nate Ulrich, Browns Defensive Line coach Anthony Weaver had nothing but praise for the rookie defensive lineman.

"“I think people look at his size. They see what he ran 40-wise, but at the end of the day, just put on the film. The film tells a story. He’s had success throughout college, and I could see that easily translating to our level. I think he has all the potential in the world to be a three-down player. The way he can collapse the pocket in pass rush will make more success for our edge [rushers].”"

Don’t overlook the new found depth up front as a major factor in Shelton’s favor. Often times top picks are needed to be on the field too often and are forced into the fire. Instead, the return of Phil Taylor and John Hughes as well as the addition of veteran Randy Starks gives Shelton the chance to both get acclimated and max out his effort when on the field.

He was needed for an estimated 90% of the Washington Huskies snaps last season, but he won’t necessarily have to see that kind of action right off the bat.

Speaking of Shelton’s durability, that in and of itself is a trait missing from the current group of lineman for the Browns. Taylor’s injury woes are well documented and Hughes missed most of last season with an ankle injury.

Desmond Bryant and Ahtyba Rubin missed games last season too. By the end of the year, Jamie Meder, Ishmaa’ily Kitchen, and Sione Fua were seeing the majority of snaps on the interior.

Those injuries all contributed to how the Browns ended up as every running back’s dream match-up in 2014.

Shelton will not be perfect in 2015, but he also doesn’t have to be. The way this defense is built, Shelton has the right situation to both learn and make an immediate impact. With him in Brown and Orange, there’s no way the defense doesn’t improve.

Next: Cleveland Browns: An Open Letter To Owner Jimmy Haslam

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