DETROIT, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 15: Danny Shelton #71 of the Detroit Lions attempts to sack Alex Smith #11 of the Washington Football Team during their game at Ford Field on November 15, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
The New York Giants are bringing veteran nose tackle Danny Shelton aboard on a one-year deal.
Joe Judge and the New York Giants are trying to build something special. The team has four consecutive losing seasons, but the 6-10 record in 2020 was a sign of progress.
GM Dave Gettleman is the one facing a ton of pressure. He needs to have a great free agency period and also do amazing in the NFL Draft if he wants to convince ownership he should keep his job moving forward.
Gettleman made a move Monday that could end up being a great one. The move was to sign veteran nose tackle Danny Shelton to a one-year deal.
Giants add depth on defense with Danny Shelton
Shelton is a former first-round pick, taken No. 12 overall by the Cleveland Browns in 2015. Since then he has also played with the New England Patriots and Detroit Lions. He is a player who did not live up to his draft slot, but remains a suitable option along a defensive line.
The 27-year-old nose tackle now joins a Giants team that allowed just over 111 yards per game on the ground last season. He should be a key rotational piece, getting around 50 percent of the snaps on defense. That is right around the average for his career.
Shelton only appeared in 12 games with the Lions last season due to injury. A fresh start in New York could get his career back on track and also set him up for a nice payday in 2022. The Giants, of course, are hoping he can have a career year and help be a force in the middle of the defensive line. That would open up opportunities for Leonard Williams to wreak havoc on the edge.