Browns trade defensive tackle Danny Shelton to the Patriots
By Thomas Moore
The Cleveland Browns have moved on from another first-round draft pick as the team is trading defensive tackle Danny Shelton to the New England Patriots.
Cleveland Browns general manager John Dorsey kept at it on Saturday as the Browns have reportedly traded defensive tackle Danny Shelton to the New England Patriots.
The news was first reported by Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network:
The #Patriots are completing a trade for massive former #Browns 1st round pick DT Danny Shelton, sources say. He’ll be a ... big help.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 10, 2018
The Browns reportedly will also send a 2018 fifth-round draft pick to the Patriots, and only bring back a third-round selection in the 2019 NFL Draft, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter:
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
Unlike Friday’s deals, where Dorsey simply turned draft capital into quarterback Tyrod Taylor, wide receiver Jarvis Landry and defensive back Damarious Randall, the Browns actually gave up a talented player in return to peanuts. And there is little doubt that Shelton will make an impact on the Patriots defensive line this fall.
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Shelton was a first-round draft selection by the Browns in 2014 as a run-stopping nose tackle out of the University of Washington. He was never really appreciated for his ability as many media members and fans continually complained about his lack of sacks and didn’t understand the role he was being asked to play in the middle of a three-man line.
The results became more evident last season after the Browns switched to a defense that often used a four-man line against the run. With Shelton lining up at defensive tackle on the rebuilt line, the Browns run defense was among the league’s best in allowing just 3.4 yards per carry (second-best in the NFL) and 97.9 rushing yards per game, good for a No. 7 ranking.
Shelton was one of four first-round selections made by general manager Ray Farmer during his two years of incompetence, joining center Cameron Erving, quarterback Johnny Manziel and cornerback Justin Gilbert. Shelton was also the only one who is an actual NFL player.
The trade is just the latest transaction where the Browns have moved on from a player they selected in the first round of the draft. From 2012 through 2015, the Browns selected running back Trent Richardson (out of the league), quarterback Brandon Weeden (now with the Tennessee Titans), linebacker Barkevious Mingo (now with the Indianapolis Colts), Gilbert (out of football), Manziel (out of football) and Erving (currently with the Kansas City Chiefs).
Next: Browns post-trade mock draft
Those yearly mistakes tell the tale as much as anything else as to why the Browns continue to struggle on an annual basis.