NFL Draft 2015: Cleveland Browns putting foundation in place
By Thomas Moore
Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Danny Shelton (Washington) poses for a photo after being selected as the number 12th overall pick to the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
The best selection was probably the team’s first, Shelton, who should go a long way toward solving the team’s issues defending the run.
“To me, there are a lot of different ways to win football games and you just don’t force a situation.” – Head Coach Mike Pettine
The nose tackle from Washington Shelton was arguably the best run defender available, and after finishing near the bottom of the NFL rankings in 2014, coming in at 27th in yards per carry (4.5), 28th in runs of 20-plus yards (16) and 32nd in rushing yards per game (141.6), the Browns need all the help they can get in stopping the run.
Putting the 6-foot-2, 339-pound Shelton in a rotation with Phil Taylor (335 pounds), Randy Starks (305 pounds) and John Hughes (320 pounds) gives the Browns an inside presence to occupy blockers and make life easier for inside linebackers Karlos Dansby, Christian Kirskey and Craig Robertson.
Next: Sleeper Pick