NFL Draft 2018: Why Shaquem Griffin should be drafted in early rounds
The Combine the Put Icing on the Cake
Griffin’s Combine measurements are on par with current NFL outside linebackers at 6-1, 227 pounds. He’s few pounds lighter than Lavonte David, while being bigger than Deone Bucannon (Cardinals) and Rams’ Mark Barron. Griffin performed adequately on the bench press at 225 pounds as he hit 20 reps.
However, what separated him from all the other linebackers was his speed. At nearly 230 pounds, Griffin clocked a 4.38-second 40-yard dash, which was the fastest times among linebackers and tied for ninth among all 2018 participants. Even then, Griffin wasn’t done.
He went on to excel in the on field drills. When asked to drop into coverage, he looked smooth, his hips were loose and he moved with fluidity. Griffin confirmed the story that this film told and what those around already knew…he’s a bad man. With all that’s emanating around him since his college career ended there’s finally a huge buzz that has come along with it.
He’s One of The Top 5 OLBs…Period
The media attention isn’t what he needs, it’s the attention of NFL scouts and general managers. His 18 sacks and four forced fumbles over two seasons is better than the linebackers ranked higher than him like Tremaine Edmunds, Roquan Smith, Rashaan Evans and Malik Jefferson, for example. On top of that, his Combine numbers in a vacuum would have made him a top=15 prospect.
I’m not saying he should go above all of those guys or any of them. But, he has done everything as well — and some things better — than any prospect in his position, yet there’s no talk of him as an early round prospect — Why?
What Griffin was able to do and overcome will undoubtedly be cemented as arguably the greatest show of strength in our lifetime — from an athletic perspective. Still, it’s not just his story that makes him a legit prospect. He’s not a charity case or a political token for a team. As a matter of fact, Shaquem Griffin said it best during Senior Bowl week (via ClevelandBrowns.com):
"“I’m never going to look at myself as a guy with a disability or having a handicap, because when you have a handicap you’re limited to certain things, and I’m limited in nothing.”"
Next: 2018 NFL Mock Draft: Post-Combine 3-Round projection
Griffin is an exceptional athlete and football player who has worked his way into becoming a legit Day 1 prospect. There has to be a team that sees his value, so let his numbers and tape speak for him. If they do, then he’s a first or second round pick.