Outside Linebacker: Seahawks draft prospects, post combine

Shaquem Griffin – 6’0″ – 227 lbs. – 4.38 sec. 40 – DNP 20 yard – UCF

Is there any way we could write a Seahawks post and not write about Shaquem Griffin?  As I think the whole world has seen by now; Griffin posted the fastest time ever for a linebacker in the 40 yard dash.  He is blazing fast.  However, he still needs refinement.  In the lateral movement drills he crossed his feet and clicked his heels, but showed a great back pedal.  While sifting through the bags he showed solid movement, but got really high in his back pedal and transition.  His hips opened well in the drop and turn drill.  Unfortunately, He was cramping up throughout the drills.  That made it hard to really judge his movement skills.  One thing that was evident is that he isn’t long for a linebacker.

This guy is a try hard guy, inspirational in so many ways.  One thing you noticed with him, his upbeat attitude had all the players gravitating to him.  This will be a locker room star, among his other talents.  There are definitely holes in his game, but he has so many positives as well.  This isn’t a knock, but at the very least he is a special teams star.

Malik Jefferson – 6’3″ – 236 lbs. – 4.53 sec. 40 – DNP 20 yard – Texas

Nice movement through the bags, but really struggled to bend to shed.  Put his head completely down and didn’t look up until he finished the drill.  That is not good for someone who has to react to the ball.  Jefferson seems to play high, he will get stuck on blocks in the NFL.  He moves really well though, he seems like a guy who wants to run around blocks and use his athleticism to make plays.  Jefferson is interesting, because he looks the part of an NFL linebacker.  He also displayed the speed and strength you look for, but he doesn’t look like he wants to hit.  Do you give him a chance?

Joel Iyiegbuniwe – 6’1″ – 229 lbs. – 4.62 sec. 40 – 4.28 sec. 20 yard – Western Kentucky

Every drill I watched, this guy stood out as better than most.  He exhibited nice feet, slid well, feet didn’t cross over, transitioned well.  The Western Kentucky player had  really nice hips, continuously opened up well, and a great forward drive as well.  Iyiegbuniwe might have had the best mirror drill of anyone. He had little  movement, and was very fluid throughout the day.  He is a nice football player.

Darius Leondard – 6’2″ – 234 lbs. – 4.70 sec. 40 – DNP 20 yard – South Carolina

Did not work out.  I was excited to see this guy in the on field drills.  He was a great football player at South Carolina.  I am sure he will have a solid pro day.