#12: Danny Shelton, NT, Washington

[crabbyshark]

"Carl Davis was the lynchpin of a strong Iowa front seven this year. Used mainly as a zero- or one-technique nose tackle, Davis flashed the ability to be an impact player in the defensive interior, if he can learn to play with better leverage."
http://www.buffalorumblings.com/2015/3/24/8281595/carl-davis-2015-nfl-draft-scouting-report



The Giants love size and length in their defensive players, and Davis has that in spades. They also love versatility, and Davis has the tools to play both the 1-technique and the 3-technique. The problem is that while he is an athletic tackle, he seems to lack lateral agility, and that will hurt his ability to rush the passer. That also means he controls a relatively small area compared to his size.
http://www.bigblueview.com/2015/2/23/8001485/2015-nfl-draft-carl-davis-dt-iowa-scouting-report





A pair of 3rd round picks headline the group of nose tackles


The nose tackle position is vital to any 3-4 defense. The nose tackle holds down the middle of the line and serves as a run-stuffer. The Ravens have two players who will serve in this role with others who can rotate in to fill that position.

Brandon Williams will be the starting nose tackle for the Ravens. Williams had a strong season in 2014, starting 14 games. The 2013 3rd round pick out of Missouri Southern State racked up 47 tackles and two forced fumbles, including six tackles and a sack in the divisional round win over the Steelers. At 6'1 and 335 pounds, Williams is one of the strongest members of the team and more than holds his own in the middle of the Ravens defensive line.

Serving as Williams' backup will be 2015 3rd round pick Carl Davis out of the University of Iowa. A second-team All Big Ten selection, Davis could be one of the Ravens' biggest steals of the draft, as many projected him as an early 2nd round selection. Davis has played well in training camp and the pre-season, grading out as one of the top performers in the Ravens' preseason win over the New Orleans Saints. Davis has also seen some of the most snaps on the team during the preseason.
http://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/2015/8/28/9221549/ravens-roster-breakdown-nose-tackle

 

[Goodbyehorses]

Carl Motherfucking Davis!!

 

[Goodbyehorses]

...likes Dix and cox

 

[Soda]

Carl Davis went to Baltimore at the end of the third round. He had potential to go a lot higher. That's not at all why I shared the original study though.

This Carl Davis? I'll take the bigger, more physically dominating natural nose-tackle. Who also happens to not be a character concern.

http://www.hngn.com/articles/92083/...d-only-play-50-percent-of-defensive-snaps.htm

http://www.hawkcentral.com/story/sp...timore-ravens-nfl-draft-third-round/26754999/

"You saw what he could do at the Senior Bowl. But for some reason, he didn't play like that when he was at Iowa. The intensity that he showed at the Senior Bowl, he didn't show in the Iowa tape."

"My theory (on the game-tape discrepancy) is when he's one-on-one with a tackle or a guard and all he's got to do is beat that guy in a one-on-one situation, his physical traits win," Mayock said. "But when it's 11-on-11, he's still got a little bit of a way to go as far as learning how to play that game.

 

[AZ_]

I would have taken Melvin Gordon. I think he is a more dynamic player and will contribute much more in terms of impact on the game. Then I would have drafted a nose tackle later in the draft.

The Browns also could have signed Kenrick Ellis in free agency. He is 27 and has experience playing under Mike Pettine. Ellis is a run stopper compares favorably to Shelton.

This run stopper that "compares favorably to Shelton" did not survive training camp with the Giants, he was cut after they found a replacement for him on waivers.

Oops.

 

[AZ_]