Shelton attended Auburn Senior High School in Auburn, Washington, where he played football and competed in track and wrestling. He was a four-star recruit and the 10th best defensive tackle by Rivals.com. Shelton committed to play college football at the University of Washington in January 2011. He also participated in track & field as a thrower. He earned second-place finishes in both the shot put and discus throw at the 2010 West Central District 4A Championships. As a senior, he won the state 4A shot put championship with a career-best throw of 18.31 meters.
College career
As a true freshman in 2011, he played in 13 games with one start and had 11 tackles. As a sophomore and junior in 2012 and 2013 he started every game at nose tackle for the Huskies. He recorded 45 tackles and 0.5 sacks in 2012 and 59 tackles and two sacks in 2013. Shelton entered 2014 as a starter for the third straight year. He recorded four sacks against Eastern Washington, which was more than he had combined the previous three seasons and the most for a Huskies player since 1989, earning him first team AP All-America. He finished the season with nine sacks. Shelton was also a member of the Huskies' track and field team.
Professional career
Cleveland Browns
On April 30, 2015, Shelton was drafted by the Cleveland Browns with the 12th overall selection of the first round in the 2015 NFL Draft. When meeting with Roger Goodell on stage, he hugged the commissioner and lifted him off the ground in excitement. Shelton was the University of Washington's first defensive lineman selected in the first round of an NFL draft since Steve Emtman in 1992. On May 12, 2015, Shelton signed a four-year deal worth $11.7 million. In 16 games of his rookie season, Shelton played 16 games with 36 tackles. After center Alex Mack left the team in free agency during the 2016 offseason, Shelton changed his jersey number from 71 to 55, which was previously worn by Mack. Shelton had wanted the number since being drafted by the Browns but opted for his college 71 since 55 was unavailable. He explained he wanted to adorn 55 as tributes to his brother Shennon and former NFL linebacker Junior Seau, both of whom have died and have worn 55 while playing football. In 2016, he started all 16 games with 59 tackles and 1.5 sacks. On February 23, 2017, Shelton underwent a minor wrist surgery. In 2017, Shelton started 14 games for the Browns recording 33 tackles.
On March 10, 2018, the Browns agreed to trade Shelton and a 2018 fifth-round draft pick to the New England Patriots for a 2019 third-round pick. The deal became official on March 14, 2018, at the start of the NFL year. On May 2, 2018, the Patriots declined the fifth-year option on Shelton's contract, making him a free agent in 2019. Shelton helped the Patriots reach Super Bowl LIII, where they defeated the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. On May 20, 2019, Shelton re-signed with the Patriots. In week 2 against the Miami Dolphins, Shelton recorded his first sack of the season in the 43–0 win. In week 11 against the Philadelphia Eagles, Shelton recorded a strip sack on Carson Wentz which was recovered by teammate Lawrence Guy in the 17–10 win.
Detroit Lions
On March 24, 2020, Shelton signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the Detroit Lions.
Regular season stats
Personal life
Shelton's mother is Samoan, and his father is Peruvian. He often speaks with pride about his Samoan heritage and dons a lavalava, a traditional Polynesian cloth worn like a kilt or skirt. On May 1, 2011, Shelton and his brothers were involved in an altercation at an apartment complex in Auburn, Washington.
