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NFL: 15 Rookies who are future Pro Bowlers

By Andrew Garda

May 1, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) is introduced at a press conference at One Buc Place the day after being selected as the number one overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
May 1, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) is introduced at a press conference at One Buc Place the day after being selected as the number one overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 2, 2015; Tempe, AZ, USA; Washington Huskies defensive lineman Danny Shelton (center) against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the 2015 Cactus Bowl at Sun Devil Stadium. Oklahoma State defeated Washington 30-22. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2015; Tempe, AZ, USA; Washington Huskies defensive lineman Danny Shelton (center) against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the 2015 Cactus Bowl at Sun Devil Stadium. Oklahoma State defeated Washington 30-22. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Danny Shelton, DT, Cleveland Browns

New Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Danny Shelton should get an automatic Pro Bowl spot for hefting Roger Goodell when he was selected, but that probably won’t happen. However, he will step in at nose tackle on day one for the Browns and that could give him a shot at a Pro Bowl appearance this year. This was a terrible run-stopping unit in 2014, and Shelton is a guy who can turn that around.

Shelton has a great deal of strength and athleticism, despite his size, which will help him smother an offense’s ground attack. He’s quicker than he looks as well, and that helps him be a more solid pass rusher then you would expect. Shelton has some nice moves to do it as well, and is able to get his hands inside on an offensive lineman and get him out of the way.

If he makes the difference on that defensive line – especially in run defense – that I believe he can, people will sit up and take notice. He’s a very good player on a defense which struggled against the run, so people will know what happened if things change.

Of course, if he ends up being the best against the run on that defense, Shelton will find that teams can focus more on him. In college, there were times when Shelton struggled against bigger centers and an occasional double-team. More attention from pro-level offensive lines could hurt him.

Still, that should come with time. If he doesn’t have an All-Star rookie year, he will have time to grow along with the rest of the front seven. As they get better, so will he. Ultimately, it should be just a matter of time before he ends up in the Pro Bowl.

Next: Phillip Dorsett, WR, Indianapolis Colts

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