SHELTON HAS RIGHT STUFF
But nose tackle can do more than stop run
to know why we’re doing things. Don’t get that a lot from D-linemen. His intellect made him curious.”
Washington’s coaches did their part to help boost Shelton’s draft stock when they kept him on the field in pass-rush situations last fall.
“Unless he tapped, I didn’t take him off,” Choate said.
That didn’t happen often. Choate estimated that Shelton played in about 90% of the defensive snaps — an absurdly high number for a nose tackle, especially in the Pac-12 Conference, playing against many up-tempo, no-huddle, spread offenses.
“It’s a demand for our defense to be able to compete and be able to stay out on the field. So I challenge myself every day to practice running to the ball, stripping the ball, working on turnovers,” Shelton said.
Whether Shelton can truly be a three-down player in the NFL might be the only question left about him — especially for a team considering using a high firstround pick on him. There is no doubt Shelton has the physical gifts and technical tools to be a quality run-stuffer in the NFL. But to be worth a first-round investment, NFL officials will want to be convinced he can affect the quarterback as well.
Shelton’s physique has drawn favorable comparisons to veteran players such as Dontari Poe of the Kansas City Chiefs and Haloti Ngata of the Detroit Lions. The Ngata comparison seems particularly apt since Shelton said he had long looked up to Ngata, who also has Polynesian roots (Shelton is Samoan, while Ngata is Tongan).
“I think everybody sees that comparison. Powerful, better feet than you think, and I’m surprised at how many snaps he can play at a high level,” NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said. “He is a top-10 pick.”
The Lions got short-term help at defensive tackle when they traded with theBaltimore Ravens for Ngata on the first day of free agency, but Detroit needs to make another long-term investment after losing Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley to free agency last month.
The Bears are shifting to a 3-4 defense under new coordinator Vic Fangio, and they need a big man to anchor that defensive line. Chicago has some veteran ends, such as Ray McDonald, who has history with Fangio from the San Francisco 49ers, but has little depth at nose tackle.
The Patriots might have depth at defensive tackle with players such as Alan Branch, Sealver Siliga and free agent addition Jabaal Sheard from the Cleveland Browns, but will those guys be enough to replace Vince Wilfork, who signed with the Houston Texans after the Patriots chose not to re-sign him?
The Browns were last in the NFL in run defense last year after allowing more than 140 rushing yards per game. Though Phil Taylor is expected to be back and healthy after missing 11 games last year, the Browns need to fortify that defensive front. With two firstround picks (No. 12 and No. 19), a defensive tackle is certainly an option early in the draft.
The Colts were big spenders on offense and also invested in upgrades at outside linebacker, but they did not sign anyone to help bolster their run defense. And after getting gashed by the Patriots’ run game twice last year, it has to be a priority in the draft. 336 Goldman has ideal size and strength for an
6-4. interior defensive lineman and a strong record as a run-stopper in college. Questions remain about his pass-rush abilities and his ability to play on third downs in the NFL.
“With Eddie you’re getting a true two-gap guy, you’re getting somebody who can sit and clog, but you lose some of that upfield ability.” — NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah, a former scout for the Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles
Late first. 319.
Brown might be the most versatile in this group, which will make him attractive to teams that play either a 3-4 or 4-3 defense. While at Texas, Brown played nose tackle and defensive end, including experience as a stand-up rusher.
“You can play him in a 1 technique, in a 3 technique, you could play him — I think you could play him in a zero and he could do that as well. He can two-gap, he can penetrate, and to me that versatility is one of the reasons why I have him up there, because those guys are hard to find.” — NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah
First.
329. If you only looked at Phillips’ highlight reel, he’d be a slam-dunk first-round pick. An athletic marvel — he capped his combine workout with a standing backflip — he has the potential to be a dominant interior player, if he can produce game in, game out. Phillips will need to convince teams that he’s more than just a flash player to be worthy of a first-round pick.
“We see plays out of him that are big-time plays, but you don’t see it with a consistent basis yet.” — NFL Network draft analyst Charles Davis
First or
second.
6-2.
6-5.
293. The smallest of the top-tier defensive lineman in this draft, Bennett will need to convince teams that he can hold up against physical interior offensive lineman in the NFL. But working in Bennett’s favor is strong film from late in his senior year at Ohio State, where he played his best games while leading the Buckeyes to a national championship.
6-2.
One of my favorite players. I thought from the Michigan State game last year and all the way through, and if you go back and take his games from the Big Ten championship game, semifinal, Alabama, final vs. Oregon, I thought he was dominant.” — Davis
Second.