Duke Shelley Explained

Duke Shelley
Current Team:Minnesota Vikings
Number:29
Position:Cornerback
Birth Date:October 8, 1996
Birth Place:Tucker, Georgia, U.S.
Height Ft:5
Height In:9
Weight Lbs:176
High School:Tucker
College:Kansas State (2015–2018)
Draftyear:2019
Draftround:6
Draftpick:205
Pastteams:
Status:Active
Statseason:2023
Statlabel1:Total tackles
Statvalue1:92
Statlabel2:Forced fumbles
Statlabel3:Fumble recoveries
Statvalue3:1
Statlabel4:Pass deflections
Statvalue4:14
Statlabel5:Interceptions
Statvalue5:1
Pfr:ShelDu00

YaQuis Bertron "Duke" Shelley (born October 8, 1996) is an American football cornerback for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Kansas State.

Early years

Shelley grew up in Tucker, Georgia and attended Tucker High School. He was a three-year starter for the Tigers and was ranked the 22nd best cornerback in his class by Rivals.com and 33rd by ESPN.[1]

College career

In four years at Kansas State, Shelley recorded 165 career tackles and eight interceptions.[2]

During his junior year in 2017, Shelley started all 12 games and recorded 13 pass breakups, fourth most in the Big 12 Conference, and was given honorable mention all-conference honors. His senior year was marred by a season-ending toe injury after seven games.[3]

Professional career

Chicago Bears

Shelley was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the sixth round (205th overall) in the 2019 NFL draft.[4] Shelley signed a four-year rookie contract with the team on June 20, 2019 worth $2,647,832, including a $127,832 signing bonus.[5] Shelley made his NFL debut on September 5, 2019 in the season opener against the Green Bay Packers.[6] He played in nine games as a rookie, mostly on special teams.[7]

Shelley entered the 2021 season as the third cornerback on the depth chart behind Jaylon Johnson and Kindle Vildor. He played in nine games with three starts before suffering a hamstring injury in Week 11. He was placed on injured reserve on November 23, 2021.[8] He was activated on December 21.

On August 31, 2022, Shelley was waived by the Bears.[9]

Minnesota Vikings (first stint)

On September 6, 2022, Shelley signed with the practice squad of the Minnesota Vikings.[10] He was promoted to the active roster on November 12, and served as the primary replacement for Cameron Dantzler during his injured reserve stint. He had a game-saving pass deflection in Week 10 against the Buffalo Bills in a 33-30 win. In Week 18 against the Bears, Shelley recorded his first career interception against Tim Boyle.[11]

Las Vegas Raiders

On March 23, 2023, Shelley signed with the Las Vegas Raiders.[12] He was released on August 29, 2023.[13]

Los Angeles Rams

On September 1, 2023, Shelley signed with the Los Angeles Rams.[14] He was placed on injured reserve on November 27, and activated on January 10, 2024.

Minnesota Vikings (second stint)

On July 23, 2024, Shelley signed with the Minnesota Vikings.[15]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Duke Shelley: 3 things to know about the new Bears CB draft pick. QCOnline.com. Pro Football Weekly. April 27, 2019. June 18, 2019.
  2. News: Perez. Bryan. 2019 NFL Draft: Chicago Bears select Kansas State CB Duke Shelley in 6th round. USA Today. Bears Wire. April 27, 2019. April 27, 2019.
  3. Web site: Mayer. Larry. Bears draft CB Duke Shelley in sixth round. Chicago Bears. April 27, 2019. April 27, 2019.
  4. Web site: 2019 NFL Draft: Bears draft Duke Shelley at No. 205 overall. Robert. Zeglinski. WindyCityGridiron.com. SB Nation. April 27, 2019.
  5. Web site: Bears Sign Sixth-Round CB Duke Shelley, Wrap Up Draft Class. Jonathan. Comeaux. NFLTradeRumors.co. June 20, 2019.
  6. Web site: Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears - September 5th, 2019 - Snap counts. Pro-Football-Reference.com. September 6, 2019.
  7. Web site: Duke Shelley 2019 Game Log. Pro-Football-Reference.com. November 17, 2020.
  8. Web site: Bears place DB on Injured Reserve, Re-Sign Familiar Face. Beth. Mishler-Elmore. Heavy.com. November 23, 2021. November 24, 2021.
  9. Web site: Roster Moves: Bears claim six players off waivers. Mayer, Larry. ChicagoBears.com. August 31, 2022.
  10. Web site: Vikings Sign Former Bears CB Duke Shelley to Practice Squad. Vikings.com. September 6, 2022.
  11. Web site: Duke Shelley Gets First Career Interception Against the Team That Cut Him. November 25, 2023. si.com. en.
  12. Web site: Raiders sign CB Duke Shelley. 2023-03-23. Raiders.com. en.
  13. Web site: Raiders finalize initial 53-man roster for the 2023 season. Raiders.com. August 29, 2023.
  14. Web site: Rams sign DB Duke Shelley to active roster . 2023-09-01 . TheRams.com . en-US.
  15. Web site: Vikings Sign Former Cornerback Duke Shelley . Vikings.com. July 24, 2024.