Grading Tyler Shelvin to Bengals and re-grading the Patriots trade

The Cincinnati Bengals add some defensive line depth with DT Tyler Shelvin in the fourth round.

The Bengals picked the lineman from LSU with their second fourth round pick, the 122nd that they got from the New England Patriots for the 38th pick. The Bengals selected Jackson Carman with the 46th from the Patriots, along with Shelvin and another fourth-round pick used on D’Ante Smith.

So for those keeping track at home, the Bengals gave up the pick the Patriots used on Christian Barmore for Carman, Shelvin, and Smith.

This is not a surprise, since Shelvin had been mocked going to the Bengals several different times.

Shelvin is a 350-pound boulder that can clog up the interior of the line. He has long arms and long hands, which he uses for leverage, power, and pass blocking. He is a master of eating up blocks, which helps other linemen get free and get to the quarterback. In the running game, you have to go around him because you can’t move him.

Shelvin opted out for his junior season, which is both good and bad. The good news here is that he is young and doesn’t have that extra season of wear and tear. The bad news is that he only has one season of starting experience under his belt.

In addition, his size also becomes a drawback. He lacks agility and endurance to continue on as the play extends.

Shelvin’s primary role will be to compete for D.J. Reader’s backup spot. Renell Wren is there, along with Josh Tupou, but Shelvin will come in and compete.

It’s hard to see Shelvin become a starter for the Bengals, at least any time soon, but the fourth round is for depth, and that’s exactly what the Bengals are getting.

With all of the injuries that the Bengals amassed on the defensive line, depth was a major concern. As the draft goes on, the Bengals are addressing that need more and more.

Trade Grade: A-

Shelvin Grade: B

Total Grade: B+

Be sure to send us your grades in the comments section!