Giants sign Danny Shelton after NFL free agency visit

The Giants could use a big body in defense to replace Dalvin Tomlinson, the big body they lost in free agency defense. That’s why they sign Danny Shelton, who qualifies as a big body, for a one-year contract, according to multiple reports, after visiting the squad on Monday.

Shelton, 27, is a 335-pound defensive lineman (by some estimates he can reach 345 pounds) who specializes in stopping the run. Tomlinson, a four-year-old defensive tackle starter, withdrew from the Giants’ free agency market and signed with the Vikings, creating a void on the three-line. Leonard Williams and Dexter Lawrence return as starters but an anchor is needed between them. The Giants re-signed Austin Johnson and the 26-year-old was an option. Shelton is a heavier option.

In 2015, Shelton was the 12th overall pick in the NFL Draft, taken by the Browns. After three years at Cleveland, he was traded to the Patriots, where he remained for two seasons and won a Super Bowl. In his best season, Shelton had 61 total tackles and three sacks for the Pats in 2019, when Joe Judge was the special teams coordinator in New England, so there is a connection.

In 2020, Shelton signed a two-year, $ 8 million contract with the Lions, started 12 games and was released two weeks ago with a failed physical designation. Shelton suffered a triceps injury in the season finale. The Lions saved $ 4 million on the cap with the exit.

The Giants spoke with Shelton to try to determine if he is healthy and suitable for a diet. Much of the conversation took place with Patrick Graham, the defensive coordinator, and Sean Spencer, the defensive line coach. Graham stayed at the team’s premises on Monday to meet Shelton, rather than attending Pro Day at the University of Miami.

The Giants contingent in Miami – the judge, college scouting director Chris Pettit and assistant director of player personnel Tim McDonnell – had some interesting defensive players to watch. Runner-up Gregory Rousseau is expected to be on the line for the Giants at No.11 in the upcoming draft, and Jaelan Phillips could be too. Rousseau in 2019 had 15.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss for the Hurricanes and retired for 2020. Phillips during his year at Miami had eight sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss last season.