Green Bay Packers NFL Draft prospects: One you should know
Nov 1, 2014; Boulder, CO, USA; Washington Huskies defensive lineman Danny Shelton (55) sacks Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Sefo Liufau (13) in the fourth quarter at Folsom Field. The Huskies defeated the Buffaloes 38-23. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
And in the first-round, the Green Bay Packers select: Danny Shelton, Nose Tackle, University of Washington.
That statement could become reality for the Green Bay Packers in the upcoming 2015 NFL draft.
After 11 games the Packers sit at 8-3 within the NFL and one of the main reasons they lost those 3 games was due to their awful run defense. Even after all the victories, the Packers still rank 30th against the run.
Sep 20, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies defensive lineman Danny Shelton (55) sacks Georgia State Panthers quarterback Nick Arbuckle (4) during the third quarter at Husky Stadium. Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
When B.J. Raji was lost in the preseason we knew that the Packers defensive line was going to take a hit, but we didn’t know the run defense would be this bad.
Letroy Guion has been nice this season in replacement of Raji but the Packers need more talent if Raji is not retained, and even if he is, they need depth on the line.
One place that the line needs to improve on is pressure on the quarterback. So far the defensive line alone has been credited with 7 total sacks. Mike Daniels, Datone Jones, and Guion are responsible for those sacks. The Packers really need to find a player that can pressure the quarterback.
This brings us to Danny Shelton.
What you need to know about Danny Shelton:
Danny Shelton is all of 6-2 and 339 pounds in the middle of that Huskies’ defense. Shelton will plug right into a 3-4 defense as a nose tackle on the pro level. Shelton has started every game since his sophomore season and even played in every game as a freshman.
How does he fit in?
Shelton is a rare big man that can work from the nose position but still get pressure on the quarterback. Shelton frequently faces double teams but has developed a good pass rushing skill set.
Shelton’s best trait is that he has a motor that keeps on running. He’s never out of a play and for a man that carries 340 pounds around, that says something. Shelton’s numbers also reflect the motor that he has. So far on the season Shelton is second on the team in tackles, unheard of for a defensive nose tackle.
Shelton has all of the tools to be a real good nose tackle in the NFL. Even if you eliminate his pass rushing ability, his ability to stop the run is his most desirable skill. Shelton has a knack for positioning himself in the right gaps and uses his hands brilliantly to free himself from blockers.
Oct 11, 2014; Tucson, AZ, USA; Southern California Trojans defensive end Leonard Williams (94) celebrates in the fourth quarter against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. The Trojans defeated the Wildcats 28-26. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports photograph
The only thing that could stand in the way of Green Bay getting Shelton would be his current rise up the draft boards. According to most draft boards Shelton comes in as the third overall defensive tackle. Leonard Williams from USC is a consensus first overall pick but after that it’s between Florida States Eddie Goldman and Shelton for the second
best prospect at the tackle position.
Shelton’s current stats: 84 tackles, 16.0 for loss, 8.5 sacks, 0 forced fumbles, and 4 fumble recoveries.
You can catch Danny Shelton and the Washington Huskies take on Washington State tonight at 9:30 p.m. CST on Fox Sports 1.