Cleveland Browns: Danny Shelton beating unrealistic expectations

Shelton manhandled centers in the Pac-12. Nothing against the Pac-12, but it is a conference that has embraced the spread offense. With the spread, it has embraced smaller more athletic linemen. Shelton popped on tape because of his combination of size, strength and quickness but also because he was playing against smaller athletic lineman. Shelton is a big athletic lineman. The PAC 12 was overmatched.

But NFL linemen are not overmatched. When Shelton arrived in the NFL, he was met by linemen as big and as athletic as him. Shelton was not used to playing against players his own size, speed and agility.

He struggled with his technique because he never had to use technique before. He never had to identify blocking schemes. He never had to learn to counter blocking schemes, get off blocks and pass rushing techniques. His athletic ability was all he needed.

When athletic ability evened out in the NFL, Shelton looked ordinary to less than ordinary. This past offseason, Shelton worked to lose weight, and improve his quickness and agility. The hope was that by slimming down, his dominant style of play would return.

In the first two preseason games of 2016, Shelton has been less than dominant. Against Green Bay he played with a high pad level (typical of someone who has never had to use leverage). As a result, he was pushed all over the field. He played better against Atlanta but he still struggles to identify schemes and counter blocks.

Accordingly, he has been taking hits in the media. When discussing Shelton, Mary Kay Cabot states:

"He failed to pop on the TV screen or on the stat sheet, even against Mack’s backup. When his almost three quarters of play were over, he had one tackle to show for it. Mack, when on the field, not only prevented Shelton from penetrating, he drove him back several times . . . Shelton, who says he shed 30 pounds this year, played with his usual high motor, but the effort didn’t result in any big plays or tackles for loss."

But Mary Kay Cabot is not the only one. Here is what Nate Ulrich had to say:

"Fair or not, Shelton will always be blamed when the defense can’t stop the run, because he’s in the middle of the line and a first-round draft pick who was chosen 12th overall last year to stuff ball carriers and command double teams from offensive linemen."

Mary Kay Cabot and Nate Ulrich are both correct, Shelton has not popped, penetrated or made big plays. Neither are over-the-top on their analysis.

However, their analysis is off for one reason. Danny Shelton now plays in Ray Horton’s 3-4 defense.

Next: Shelton's Fit in Ray Horton's 3-4