NFL DRAFT 2018: SHAQUEM GRIFFIN

The NFL draft is just days away, and by this point each player has been analyzed, scrutinized, and romanticized by every NFL guru from Kalamazoo to Calcutta. We here at pigskinpress.com turn once again to our director of scouting Nathan Cooper to help us look deeper into the draft at some guys from the group of five that may be a real steal on draft day!

Shaquem Griffin College: Central Florida

Position: Will Linebacker

Year: 5SR

Jersey: #18

Hometown: St. Petersburg, FL

Games Scouted: 2017 #2 @ Maryland, #10 @ Temple (Live), #11 South Florida, #13 Auburn, Senior Bowl Practices (Live), Senior Bowl (Live) 2017 Stats: 13 GP, 74 Tackles (44 Solo), 13.5 TFL, 7 Sacks, 2 FF, 2 FR, 1 Int Career Stats: 39 GP, 175 Tackles (105 Solo), 33.5 TFL, 18.5 Sacks, 4 FF, 5 FR, 2 Int All-Star Game: Senior Bowl

Background/Notes

2016 AAC Defensive Player of the Year
2016 & 2017 First Team All-AAC (Coaches)
2018 Uplifting Athletes Rare Disease Champion Award
Double major in Human Communication and Interdisciplinary Studies
3-Star Composite in 2013 (247Sports)
Ran track in high school, competing in 4x100, discus, triple jump and shot put

Character – A

Started a track club for kids with his brother in St. Petersburg
Has worked at the Boys and Girls Club
Has done a number of motivational speaking events
2017 Senior Class Award Winner
2017 Game Captain

Medical – C

Born with amniotic band syndrome in his left hand which led to it being amputated at the age of 4
2017 – Injured his left calf against USF

Strengths

Relentless around the football
Very good play speed
Good in zone coverage
Good blitz ability
High FBI

Weaknesses

Not much backside pursuit
Struggles to shed blocks consistently
Sufficient tackler

Summary

Griffin projects as a Will Linebacker in either a 4-3 or 3-4 defensive scheme and could line up as an edge rusher or third safety in coverage in sub packages. He played in a variety of spots on the defense for UCF. He played both the strong-side and weak-side and lined up in the slot against receivers, tight ends and running backs. He played some safety early on in his UCF career as well. He has very good athletic ability and does a great job competing despite only having one hand. He shows good toughness on each down, plays with a high motor and is relentless around the football. Against the run game, Griffin shows a good ability to produce, but he does struggle to consistently make tackles. Against the pass, he shows good coverage skills and can be utilized as a solid pass rusher. He is good in zone coverage, but he is just sufficient in man coverage. He does a good job in space and has speed to make up ground, but will struggle to stay in-phase in man coverage. He shows a good ability to rush the passer. He uses mainly speed moves off the edge, but will also utilize a spin move on occasion that can be effective. He will struggle to shed against larger blockers. Griffin could line up as an edge rusher or third safety in coverage on 3rd downs, as he shows a good ability to rush the passer or play coverage. He could contribute on special teams, especially on FG/PAT block, punt/punt return, and kickoff. He can come in right away and contribute on special teams and will compete for a consistent backup role in his first two seasons.

NFL Comparison: Terence Garvin, Seahawks Griffin and Garvin will take similar routes out of college and into the NFL. Garvin was a hybrid safety/linebacker at West Virginia and came into the NFL as an undersized linebacker. Griffin started his college career at safety before moving to edge rusher his final two seasons as an undersized linebacker coming into the NFL. Griffin could follow Garvin by starting off on special teams and converting to an off-the-ball linebacker.

Grade: 6.2 (Late 3rd Round)

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