Early expectations for Brandon Shell

The New York Jets are hoping offensive tackle Brandon Shell can be quality depth heading into the regular season. Here are some early expectations as he prepares for a tough road ahead.

With one of their late draft picks in the 2016 NFL Draft, the New York Jets selected Brandon Shell, an offensive tackle out of South Carolina University. He has the potential to be a productive player but he will need to develop his game in order to be successful in the NFL. He probably wont start this season but we could possibly see him in the starting lineup within the next few years.

Shell simply looks like an NFL tackle with a pro build body and long limbs. For three years in college he held down the right tackle position which was his strong point. In certain pass plays for South Carolina, he played the left side and Shell showed some potential. He is a strong run blocker which could be huge since the Jets have a three-headed monster in the running game.

When you watch any video on Shell, he shows great strength and ability to keep up with the best of them. The Jets are probably going to build a young offensive line for the future and Shell is one of many pieces for it. For all his years in college, Shell started three out of the four years he was there. At this point in time, the Jets see him as a backup and the possibility of him starting this upcoming season in the voided spot D’Brickashaw Ferguson left.

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If he wants to have a successful career and have a shot in making this team, then he will need to work on certain parts of his game.

He has a huge tendency of getting penalties called for not having the right timing during snap counts.

Sometimes his reaction time is also off once the football is snapped, not being able to bounce back in time from rushing defenders.

His hands are at times too spread far apart as swim and power moves by opposing defenders can get the best of him.

Shell will have a lot of work ahead of him to reach that potential. If he is able to learn from the coaching staff on the Jets and the veterans around him in how he needs to be productive for his career, then there is a chance of him getting some quality reps during the regular season. He also needs to develop a quicker foot game because he is going to be beat a lot. Shell could possibly be used for certain packages to help with the ageing offensive line.

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Shell will be better off playing on the right side of the line because if he attempts to play the left side than he will be struggling a lot more. He won’t be starting anytime soon for the Jets but will more than likely be used as quality depth this upcoming season.

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