As we continue to explore this NFL draft class and how they would fit into the Steelers, we take a look at a defensive player who has smashed expectations and made headlines throughout his football career.
That player is outside linebacker Shaquem Griffin from the University of Central Florida. Due to a prenatal condition, Griffin lost his left hand, but grew up proving to the world that he is indeed a talented football player.
Griffin's 74 tackles, seven sacks and two forced fumbles went along with an interception and three passes defensed on the season, as he had a stellar send-off year in UCF's undefeated campaign.
We go into what made him so effective and how that could translate to the NFL:
Griffin has gotten where he has in his career by always surpassing any limiting expectations of what he can do. He did that again at the NFL combine, when the 6-foot-1, 227 lb. linebacker ran a 4.38-second 40-yard dash. He added to that with 20 repetitions on the bench press and a 117-inch broad jump, but his speed was what turned heads and may have boosted his draft stock.
But if you watched Griffin in college, you would see that nobody should have been shocked by him having that kind of speed. Griffin was often called upon to cover slot receivers and run all about the field like he was an extra safety rather than a typical outside linebacker.
Watch how fluidly he runs, turns and adjusts for the ball on this interception against Temple. He's in such a perfect position, despite lining up directly in front of a receiver and running 30 yards down the field, that he can simply pin the ball to his chest and get running with the ball:
What always stood out to me about Griffin was how quick and effective his footwork was for UCF. In the above play you can see him face and turn from his assigned receiver, all while running stride for stride and never breaking from his pace. That's why UCF put him in so many different cover situations where they asked him to take away slot receivers.
That footwork helped him as a pass rusher, as well. When UCF would line him up closer to the quarterback, Griffin was a threat to get past offensive linemen who weren't up to snuff. But Griffin achieved his sacks much differently than how the traditional edge rusher did, and often was just quicker in space than his opponent.
Here he is in the Peach Bowl simply bursting into B-gap with one false step to the outside, giving him a free shot at the quarterback:
Griffin also knew how to use his feet to set up different pass rush moves like this swim move he used against Memphis. Watch how he sets up the move by simply starting to aim at an outside angle, forcing the left tackle to take huge steps to get further back. Griffin then cuts into the space the tackle vacated as he dropped back to take on what he thought would be Griffin's path to the quarterback:
Griffin doesn't get off every block only because of his feet; he does have the explosiveness to win battles like this against less-talented offensive tackles. Griffin would often engage as a pass rusher by either being so quick off the ball that he could run around the lineman, or if that failed, he would be so close that his quick feet could accelerate, making him hard to pin down.
But don't be fooled, Griffin is still a player who can engage blocks and attack aggressively in certain instances. Watch how he blows up this running play by attacking from the position of covering the slot and not only taking out the lead blocker, but forcing the fumble as well:
When Griffin faced players who were either smaller or not well-rounded as run blockers or pass protectors, his size and explosiveness were often enough to win the day.
In the NFL, things will be very different.
As draft day approaches, teams will most likely be considering Griffin in the late third round to mid-fifth round range. When you look at his size, you realize that' he's taller, but less than what Sean Spence was when the Steelers drafted him.
While Griffin poses an interesting threat against the pass as both a cover man and a pass rusher, and potentially even as an inside linebacker, the Steelers still have to examine whether he can be the player who takes on the brunt of an NFL rushing scheme and if he can win those battles.
UCF made it a point to keep Griffin away from being the anchor of the run defense, often leaving him in coverage unless he was blitzing. The Steelers could use Griffin as they increase their usage of sub packages, but if he ends up being a target for offensive lines to put on roller skates, that may negate that advantage.
That being said, Griffin is still a player who should be drafted this year and will make an impact in the NFL. But if the Steelers reach with any of their top three picks to get Griffin, they will spend a big pick on a player who probably won't see much time for them.