Chicago Bears Draft Profile: UCF LB Shaquem Griffin

Shaquem Griffin possesses all the intangibles, but he is also a terrific football player.  He’s also someone the Chicago Bears should take a long look at in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Since taking over as the general manager, Ryan Pace has worked to change the Chicago Bears’ culture.  He has shed the team of disruptive personalities like Martellus Bennett and Brandon Marshall.  Instead, he has focused on players that fit a particular profile.  One such player is UCF’s LB Shaquem Griffin.

By now, the story of Shaquem Griffin is well documented.  Griffin lost his left hand due to a rare prenatal condition called Amniotic Band Syndrome.  Essentially, an amniotic membrane became wrapped around his left hand and acted like a tourniquet.

The condition could have easily affected his twin brother Shaquill, but it didn’t.  Just as Shaquem could have easily asked “why me” and not have pursued his dream.  But of course, he did not because that type of thinking is not consistent with his character.

Since setting out to achieve his dream of playing in the NFL, Griffin has encountered many hurdles.  In fact, one of the only reasons the coaching staff recruited him to the University of Central Florida was because they coveted his brother.  Rather than feel sorry for himself, Griffin decided to make the most of his opportunity.

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The 2016 American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year had an outstanding college career.  In his final two seasons, he finished with 166 tackles and an astounding 18.5 sacks.

His performance was enough to earn him an invitation to the Senior Bowl, where he won over the coaching staff with his infectious spirit and work ethic.  Beyond that though, he impressed them with his play on the field.  His play is the reason the Chicago Bears should take a long look at drafting Griffin.

Strengths

Shaquem Griffin has a relentless motor.  Although it is an often over-used cliche to describe a player, it is an appropriate way to describe Griffin’s play.  He is also a very cerebral player.  He is the kind of player that lives in the film room, and steps on the field understanding the gameplan better than the coaches that drew it up.

He is an extremely fast player, who feeds off of his instincts, which are incredibly sharp.  Griffin is also a hard hitter, who looks to put the hurt on his target.  Based on his skill set, he has all the makings of a special team superstar at the next level.

However, to limit his potential in that regard would be a mistake.  He is simply too versatile of a player to keep off the field.  Whether it is as a weakside linebacker to cover the slot receiver or as an extra defensive back in dime packages, Griffin could play an important role in Vic Fangio’s defense.

Weaknesses

While he plays with the heart of a lion, Griffin is undersized as an edge rusher, the position he played in college.  Although he has done a remarkable job overcoming his physical limitations, there are times when he has trouble wrapping up.  However, Griffin swarms so quickly to the ball that he is able to hold up the ball carrier until the cavalry arrives.

The unfortunate reality is that many of his weaknesses are perceived rather than actual.  No doubt, teams will be reluctant to take a chance on a one-handed player.  Griffin, who performed well at the Senior Bowl, will have another chance to impress at the combine and erase those doubts.

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Bottom Line

Shaquem Griffin is exactly the kind of player you want in your locker room.  He is galvanizing, inspiring, and leads by example.  However, because of his versatility, skill set, and passion, he is also the kind of player you want on the field.

If the Chicago Bears find themselves in a position to draft Griffin in the later rounds, they better take it.  Otherwise, they may live to regret it, just like all of Griffin’s previous doubters.