Derrick

Shelby

The veteran played 135 rotational snaps for Atlanta, recording zero sacks or QB hits. He’s more of a run stopper. DB Ryan Neal was added to the roster.

Shelby signed a “four-year, $18 million” contract in March. He played 244 snaps through six games, registering zero sacks as he struggled to generate pressure. Shelby is due $3 million next season after making only $1 million in 2015. The Falcons may ask Shelby to accept a pay cut coming off his severe injury.

Shelby was almost certainly limited less than eight months removed from an Achilles’ tear, but it is still a big step in the correct direction. A disappointment even before the injury, Shelby may need a strong camp to keep his roster spot.

A restricted free agent, Shelby was tendered at the second-round level. A 2012 undrafted free agent, Shelby has appeared in at least 15 games each of the past three seasons. He notched two sacks across 420 snaps last season. He’ll remain a role player in 2015.

The Dolphins’ No. 3 end behind starters LE Cameron Wake and RE Olivier Vernon, Shelby is playing on a one-year, $2.35 million deal. Shelby played 397 snaps last season and graded out as PFF’s No. 9 end against the run but near the bottom as a pass-rusher. With Vernon also headed for free agency and a bunch of money tied up in Ndamukong Suh, the Fins may not be able to afford Shelby.

Jackson said Shelby is a favorite of coach Joe Philbin and thinks he will be first in line to fill Jordan’s role in the defense. Shelby actually played more snaps than Jordan last season -- 446 to 339 -- and was arguably the better player. Shelby recorded 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in 2013.

It’s no longer an issue, but it’s noteworthy. Shelby is a coaching-staff favorite and will handle third-end duties behind Olivier Vernon and Cameron Wake. He registered 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles across 446 snaps last season.

A core rotational piece on Miami’s deep defensive line, Shelby has 5.5 sacks over the past two seasons and just turned 26 years old. He’ll try to earn more snaps in 2015 before hitting unrestricted free agency next offseason.

Shelby has actually played more snaps than Wake up until this point, primarily playing on early downs as a run stopper. He’ll now become an every-down defensive end. Shelby amassed 5.5 sacks as a part-time player across the 2013-2014 seasons, but he has not logged any sacks through seven games this year.

Triplett doesn’t expect the cap-strapped Saints to go out and spend big in free agency, but he does mention free agent DEs Derrick Shelby, William Hayes, Chris Long, and Adrian Clayborn as the tier GM Mickey Loomis could target. Shelby has nine sacks over the past three seasons as a part-time player, but graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 10 overall 4-3 end last season, receiving really strong marks for both his run defense and pass-rush ability.