Will Kris Richard be promoted to Defensive Coordinator with Marinelli either retiring or taking a consultant role similar to the consultant role they gave to Hudson Houck?
Will Kris Richard be more likely to prefer size at DT than Marinelli?
Danny Shelton is a free agent. He was drafted with the 12th overall pick by Cleveland in 2015 and started 42 of 44 games played and only missed 4 games of a possible 48.
Shelton was traded to New England for a swap of NE's 3rd round pick for Cleveland's 5th round pick. Obviously NE's 3rd round pick is almost a 4th round pick.
Shelton only started 1 game for New England but he did play 31 percent of the snaps which is OK for a pure 1-tech type DT.
Draft Measurable(s);
6-2
339
Bench: 34 reps
What type of contract does a player get that only started 1 regular season game and 1 playoff game this past season?
The Patriots DT Malcom Brown is also a free agent; however, he is likely to be expensive as a free agent.
I'd like to see the passing of the torch be made official, but I'm not holding my breath about it either. I don't know who they thought they were fooling last year, but thus far they seem to want to keep the same charade going. If Richard is OK with it, then I guess I am too. I know who the actual defensive coordinator is.
I think Marinelli is sticking around to coach the defensive line, but from now on, he needs to be
told what linemen he's getting to work with, rather than being
asked. Asking what he thinks has brought us Henry Melton, Nick Hayden, Stephen Paea, and Joey Ivey. Oh, and let's not forget Taco Charlton instead of TJ Watt. Time to give Pops draft weekend off. "We'll fill you in on Monday!"
I like the idea of a big, physical presence like Shelton inside, and I wouldn't think he would cost too much as a part time, role player. And it would seem that Richard does prefer size inside, as Seattle has predominantly wanted big bodies there.
Another name to watch is Sheldon Richardson. The Cowboys have liked him since the 2013 draft and they nearly traded for him from the Jets, where he ultimately ended up playing for Richard in Seattle. A lot of connections with him.