When Danny Shelton received his first NFL paycheck, he finally crossed something off his bucket list that had been there for years.
He bought his family a house in Washington.
"To see their faces and get beds and appliances is something that we never been put in before," Shelton said. "We had never been in a six-bedroom house before. It is great feeling."
As Shelton unpacks his belongings inside the team hotel at his first NFL training camp with the Cleveland Browns, there are other things he wants to check off that same list.
One, he wants to earn his starting spot. Shelton's the type of player who wouldn't even accept it if Cleveland handed him the job. The Browns coaches are on board with that, as Shelton only saw repetitions with the second- and third-string defensive units.
Two, Shelton wants to do whatever necessary to help the team win.
Three – and because why wouldn't he want to? – Shelton said he wants to secure the Defensive Rookie of the Year award when it's all said and done.
Just don't mistake that goal for putting the cart before the horse.
"At the same time," Shelton said, "I have to concentrate on camp first."
An interesting note about Shelton's development during training camp is the pace of practice. Coming from the Pac-12 at Washington, the 339-pounder is accustomed to offenses running at a blistering pace. Shelton had 93 tackles last season with the Huskies, an atypically high number for a nose guard, showing his stamina exceeds what you would expect from a player of his size.
The Browns see Shelton as a nose tackle and potentially a three-technique defensive end, but the coaches are still tinkering with how he will be most impactful. Eating up blockers, continuing as a playmaker, or a little bit of both?
Some more clarity will be brought to Shelton's role when the pads come on Saturday.
Friday: Check out ClevelandBrowns.com at 10 a.m. to see a live look-in to Browns training camp.
Training camp is underway here in Berea!
Cleveland Browns fullback Malcolm Johnson runs through drills during practice at the NFL football team's training camp Thursday, July 30, 2015, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Dwayne Bowe catches a pass during practice at the NFL football team's training camp Thursday, July 30, 2015, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Terrelle Pryor talks with the media after practice at the NFL football team's training camp Thursday, July 30, 2015, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Terrelle Pryor catches a pass during practice at the NFL football team's training camp Thursday, July 30, 2015, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Terrelle Pryor catches a pass during practice at the NFL football team's training camp Thursday, July 30, 2015, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown throws during practice at the NFL football team's training camp Thursday, July 30, 2015, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown throws during practice at the NFL football team's training camp Thursday, July 30, 2015, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Fans pose with illustrations of Browns players Joe Haden and Joe Thomas at Day 1 of training camp.
First-round draft pick Danny Shelton meets with the media following the first training camp session of 2015.
A look at the setup at 2015 Training Camp.
Browns mascot Chomps gives fans free t-shirts at training camp.
Fans pose for a photo with Chomps.
DB Joe Haden warms up at training camp.
LT Joe Thomas salutes the Dawg Pound at day one of training camp.
Fans participate in activities at training camp.
Fans take in the action at training camp.
DB Justin Gilbert signs autographs after practice for fans after day one of training camp.
RB Isaiah Crowell poses for a photo with fans after day one of training camp.
LB Craig Robertson spends time with his daughter after day one of training camp.
HC Mike Pettine meets with the media after day one of training camp.
QB Johnny Manziel signs autographs for fans after practice.
Fans at day one of training camp.
Fans take in the action at training camp.
Fans take in the action at training camp.
Fans take in the action at training camp.
RB Terrance West runs with the ball during day one of training camp.
QB Johnny Manziel throws a pass during day one of training camp.
RB Isaiah Crowell makes a cut at training camp.
WR Travis Benjamin runs with the ball during drills.
RB Shaun Draughn makes a cut during day one of training camp.
Receivers Kevin Cone (88) and Terrelle Pryor (87) run during day one of training camp.
Fans take in the action at day one of training camp.
First-round pick DT Danny Shelton.
QB Josh McCown throws a pass at day one of training camp.
