The Cleveland Browns are at it again. One day after trading for Jarvis Landry, Tyrod Taylor, and Damarious Randall, the Browns are back on the trade market. This time, they’ve traded former 2015 first-round pick Danny Shelton to the New England Patriots. The Patriots receive Shelton and a 2018 fifth-round pick, while the Browns receive a 2019 third-round pick.
Updated via @FieldYates and me: Browns trade Danny Shelton and a 5th round pick in ’18 for the Patriots’ 3rd l-round pick in ’19. And there it is, the fourth Browns’ trade in less than 24 hours. https://t.co/MQ6Qc8Dmha
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 10, 2018
Report: Defensive Tackle Danny Shelton Traded to New England Patriots
Shelton first entered the NFL as a first-round pick for the Cleveland Browns, and became an immediate starter. The former Brown appeared in all but two games throughout his career, an impressive feat for a position as physically demanding as defensive tackle. Additionally, Shelton has started in all but two of the games in which he has appeared.
Shelton specializes as a run-stuffing defensive tackle. While he’s not a threat as a pass rusher, he more than makes up his worth as a run defender. His 6’2”, 343-pound frame makes him hard to move in the trenches, which frees up linebackers to make plays at the line.
Additionally, Shelton is more than capable of making plays on his own. Over his three years in the league, the Washington product has recorded a combined 128 tackles. While that’s not All-Pro caliber numbers, it’s still solid production from an interior lineman.
Shelton, a three-year NFL veteran, has one year remaining on his rookie deal. However, since he was a first-round pick, the Patriots do have the option to pick up a fifth year at an increased price. As of now, it is unclear if New England will exercise that option.
Shelton joins a defensive tackle group led by fellow 2015 first-round pick Malcolm Brown, along with fellow tackles Lawrence Guy and Vincent Valentine. The big-bodied defensive tackle should immediately step in and contribute to a run defense that struggled at times last season.
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