NFL Draft results 2015: Cleveland takes Danny Shelton at No. 12

With the 12th pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns have selected defensive tackle Danny Shelton from Washington. Even in a passing league, stopping the run remains critical. That’s why Shelton is such a coup for his new organization. He’s a playmaker up front who can still manage to disrupt the run game against double teams.

Shelton is the first Washington player since 1991 to be named to the Academic All-America first team when he did so in 2014. He has a knack for finding the ball, evidenced by his nation-leading five fumble recoveries and 16 tackles for loss.

Another non-teachable trait is his durability. Shelton managed to start his final 40 collegiate games and played in 53 overall. If there’s a question mark in terms of his overall makeup, it’s that he tends to quit on plays when beaten. That could prove detrimental in a league full of superior athletes.

While his weight (339 pounds) could be a concern, his strength (34 bench press reps at the combine) is a major plus. Another strong asset is his athleticism despite possessing exceptional width in terms of body frame. With players like Ndamukong Suh, Vince Wilfork and Haloti Ngata dominating free agency talk this season, teams who passed on those players as well as on Shelton, could find themselves wishing they’d given Shelton a longer look if he reaches his potential.