Shaquem Griffin amazes everyone at the NFL Combine

Shaquem Griffin has an in with the Seahawks. He’s really freaking good. He  showed everyone just how good at the NFL Combine.

Yeah, you thought we were gonna play the “My big brother says you better pick me” card. There’s no doubt that drafting Shaquem Griffin would please twin brother Shaquill. Part of that joy would be playing with his “little” brother again. I think another big reason Shaquill would be happy is simply this: Shaquem Griffin is a really good football player.

If you don’t know the story, Shaquem had his left hand amputated at the age of four. This hampered his athletic career, as he never competed in curling. The younger Griffin only lettered in track, baseball and football at Lakewood High.

Shaquill promised Shaquem he would only go to school that offered them both scholarships. The University of Miami lost out when they didn’t offer Shaquem, and the University of Central Florida cashed in. Griffin won the conference defensive player of the year award in 2016. That would be Shaquem, not Shaquill.

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As good as Shaquem Griffin was in 2016, he may have been even better last year. While both his sacks and tackles dropped a bit, his total quarterback hurries exploded, from 11 in 2016 to 37 in 2017. Griffin got pressure on the quarterback once every 5.8 rushes. For a point of reference, last year’s number one pick, Myles Garrett, pressured the quarterback once per 5.9 rushes. When your main job is getting to the quarterback, and you do it better than last year’s number one pick, you can play.

For those who claim Griffin wasn’t playing against top competition, ask Auburn how good he is. He had 10 pressures, 12 tackles (3.5 for a loss), and 1.5 sacks in the game that wrapped UCF’s undefeated season. So yes, Shaquem Griffin can play at any level. Speaking of numbers…

Shaquem Griffin invited everyone to his personal showcase, the NFL Combine

Griffin blew everyone away at the NFL Combine this weekend. He hit 20 reps of 225 pounds at the bench press. There were several linebackers that did better, true. There were also several linemen that didn’t make 20 reps. Tremaine Edwards, a linebacker prospect who’s a lock for the first round, hit 19 reps. Speaking of Edwards, he flashed a solid 4.54 in the 40 yard dash. Shaquem Girffin said, hold my beer.

EVERYONE is talking about this, and rightly so. And I don’t just mean his brother, or Richard Sherman. Try JJ Watt, tweeting that “Shaquem Griffin killing it”. Or Deion Sanders with his tweet, “You are straight balling man!” According to Warren Sharp, Griffin is the only player over 225 to run a sub 4.40 since the beginning of the combine. My favorite reaction is the only one that counts:

Not only did Griffin turn in the fastest 40 by a linebacker in 15 years, he had a few other interesting performances.

He’s shown it on the field, and he’s showing it in the drills. The official NFL draft prospect is interesting, to say the least. They grade him at 5.40, which translates to backup or special teams potential. To their credit, little of that evaluation has to do with the fact has one hand.

Most of the weaknesses they list are correctable issues of technique, such as “needs to play with more consistent knee bend” and “target point as tackler can be a little high”. The positives include “smart player who processes the game plan and executes,” and “instinctive with the talent to play 3-4 inside backer and 4-3 outside backer spots.” Seems to me it would be easier to correct technique, than make a player smarter and have better instincts.

Funny thing about that 5.40 prospect grade. Guess who’s twin brother was also projected to be a backup and special teams player? Yep, Shaquill is waiting for his brother to play with him again, this time for the Seahawks.