5 bold predictions for the New England Patriots in 2018

FOXBOROUGH, MA - JUNE 5: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick stands on the field as quarterback Tom Brady work on a passing drill at rear right during Patriots minicamp at the Gillette Stadium practice facility in Foxborough, MA on June 5, 2018. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /

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DETROIT, MI – NOVEMBER 12: Cleveland Browns defensive lineman Danny Shelton (55) runs to the sidelines during game action between the Cleveland Browns and the Detroit Lions on November 12, 2017 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

3. Danny Shelton will make the Pro Bowl

Belichick knows a thing or two about moving from Cleveland to New England. It turned out pretty well for the HOF coach and it’s going to work out pretty well for Danny Shelton too.

The massive defensive tackle is perfectly suited to fix the largest problem facing the Patriots defense. New England was terrible against the run last year. Even if Shelton only manages to take up space in the middle of the line he can still give them a significant boost.

Fortunately for the Patriots, Shelton is capable of doing more than that. He can draw double teams on the inside, but he can also push the pocket on passing downs. Don’t be surprised if he comes up with a handful of sacks in 2018 as well.

If Shelton can help New England’s run defense fall somewhere in the middle of the NFL standings then coaches and executives are going to take notice. That should be enough to earn him a Pro Bowl berth. That will be quite a return for a player who only cost the Patriots a couple of rounds of draft position. Look for Shelton to slim down just a bit and up his game significantly for the Patriots.

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