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New York Jets Select Offensive Tackle Brandon Shell 158th Overall

By Kenneth Teape

Nov 15, 2014; Gainesville, FL, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks offensive tackle Brandon Shell (71) blocks Florida Gators defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard (90) during the second quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2014; Gainesville, FL, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks offensive tackle Brandon Shell (71) blocks Florida Gators defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard (90) during the second quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Jets traded into the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, selecting South Carolina offensive tackle Brandon Shell 158th overall.

The New York Jets moved up in the 2016 NFL Draft, trading into the fifth round. The pick originally belonged to the Washington Redskins, whom the Jets traded a 2017 fourth round pick to for the chance to move up. With the 159th overall pick in the draft, the Jets then used it on South Carolina offenisve tackle Brandon Shell.

Shell is the nephew of Hall of Fame offensive lineman Art Shell and oozes potential. This is a strong pick for the Jets, who are in need of some youth along their aging offensive line. Shell fits perfectly into that, and since the offensive line is basically set in stone for this season, he will be afforded the chance to sit on the sidelines and learn as a rookie from an experienced bunch.

Shell will bring a ton of experience with him to the Jets, as he was a four-year starter for the Gamecocks. He was a captain in 2015 and brings the prototypical size you want from a right tackle. He stands 6-feet-5 3/8 inches tall and weighs 324 pounds as he is a monster of a man.

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The athleticism that he brings at that size is what makes him such a tantilizing prospect. Shell performed as well as any offensive lineman at the NFL Combine in the drills that matter most for the position; the 10-yard split and broad jump. Both are usually good indicators as to which players will succeed at the next level, and Shell performed well at both.

But, there are some concerns that he may not be able to realize his potential. He has battled numerous shoulder injuries, something that can really hamper an offensive lineman that is banging into people for a living. Also the tape doesn’t tell the same story that his raw talent does, meaning he has a lot of work to be done if he is going to become a starting tackle in the NFL.

He received relatively low grades throughout the draft process, being graded as below average based on what scouts saw. But, every one mentioned the potential that he has, as the tools are there to be extremely successful, he just needs a coaching staff to bring it out of him.

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Could the Jets be that staff? They are certainly hoping so, as Shell has the potential to be a huge steal in the fifth round given his experience in college and the promise that he shows. He is a high risk, high reward selection by the Jets, a team that can afford to take chances at this point in the draft.

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