Frame
Pros:
•Average arm length at 33’ ⅜”
Cons:
•On the shorter side
•Needs to add about 10-15 more pounds
Athleticism
Pros:
•31” vertical and
•Overall speed and explosiveness is good
•8.76 RAS Score
•Has the speed to recover
•Reaches second-level defenders well
Cons:
•Not as much bend in his knees as you would like
Footwork
Pros:
•Has solid recovery when he makes mistakes
•Shows good lateral steps to cut off lanes to the ball carrier or wash defenders out of the play
•Goes with the defender's momentum while simultaneously redirecting them from the pocket
•Good initial first step out of his stance
•Opens running lanes by going parallel to the sideline and sealing off defenders
•Smooth feet and footwork
•Keeps a good overall base
•Good overall balance
Cons:
•Gets caught hitting from his toes on run plays
•Struggles to slide after that first step and gives up the edge
•Lateral speed can be lacking against quicker, more agile rushers
•Feet can stop moving after contact
Hand Usage
Pros:
•Has a decent initial punch
•Solid hand placement in pass protection
•Gets under the pads
•Closes the distance when DEs try to long-arm him
•Gets up close and personal and closes any gap that the defender would want to create
•Has a decent arm bar he can use
Cons:
•Falls off blocks too much
•Hands get outside the shoulders sometimes
•Can get ripped out of his gap when his hand timing faults
Strength / Anchor
Pros:
•Solid at the point of attacks on combo blocks
•Plays with really good leverage and pad level
•Can anchor down decently
•Exceptional at the POA on angle blocks
Cons:
•Leans forward
•Takes a little too long for him to anchor down at times
•Gets ripped down easily when his head comes forward, his back bends, and is on his toes
•He has to keep his posture upright
Physicality
Pros:
•Will pancake you with his ability to drive you out of the play
Cons:
•Doesn’t impose his will as well as others in the class
•His demeanor and swagger aren’t there as much as others
Processing / Game IQ
Pros:
•Only 1 penalty all season
•Sees stunts well
Cons:
•Can be a waste to pull because he doesn’t pick up someone fast enough, and is instead just a big guy aimlessly running
•His hand timing can be easily messed with edges that vary their timing
•Can be late to see delayed secondary blitzes
Games Watched:
•Week 4 vs ORE, Week 5 vs UCLA, Week 6 vs NU, Week 8 vs OSU,
Ideal Situation:
•Drew Shelton was a pleasant surprise and not someone I thought would impress me, but he did. Shelton is athletic and has really good footwork, hand usage, above-average strength at the point of attack, and anchoring ability. Shelton does have some weaknesses: his overall frame isn’t ideal, and he sometimes processes things a little too slowly. Shelton really got worked by quicker speed edge rushers, as Arvell Reese tortured him a good amount, and I think someone like Romello Height would have given him some trouble. His physicality is above average, but I think it was mostly carried by Olaivavega Ioane's dominance at guard. Shelton takes a little too long to anchor down, and at times, his footwork after his initial step out of his stance can be slow and too patient. I would like to see more bend in his knees to help with his anchoring and staying agile on his feet. All that being said, I really like the team he was drafted to. Shelton was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 4th Round, 112th overall, in the draft. Shelton, with his athleticism and floor, I think could easily see time in 2025. If Tyler Guyton continues to struggle as he did in 2025, he could find himself on the bench, and the Cowboys could start giving Shelton some reps. I do anticipate that Shelton will see snaps in 2026, and I think it is possible he becomes the full-time blindside blocker for Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys. Shelton is 22 years old. He did have a significant shoulder injury in 2023, which he played through that season, and got surgery in the offseason. Aside from that, Shelton has had a clean injury history.
Rating:
•Frame – 6.9/10
•Athleticism – 8.5/10
•Footwork – 8.4/10
•Hand Usage – 8.1/10
•Strength / Anchor – 7.2/10
•Physicality – 7.5/10
•Processing / Game IQ – 7.3/10
Total = 77.3/100 Early to Mid 3rd
DraftedR4 • P112Dallas Cowboys