Apr 26, 2018; Arlington, TX, USA; UCF linebacker Shaquem Griffin arrives on the red carpet before the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium. Photo Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Shaquem Griffin’s performance at weakside linebacker made a favorable impression on Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll.
Sure, it was just over three days of non-contact practices, but positives are important for the Seahawks’ fifth-round pick of the 2018 NFL Draft.
“He looked very comfortable, very natural,” Carroll said of Griffin, via The Seattle Times. “He has a sense already for scheme and terminology. The position is the right spot for him, it looks like. We can be aggressive and use his speed.”
Griffin’s speed is an asset within the Seahawks’ defensive scheme. The 6-foot, 227-pound Griffin recorded a 4.38 time in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine.
“He’s already shown some sense in the passing game and he had a couple really good plays adjusting to zone coverage and man coverage and things we’ve already seen,” Carroll said. “So those were good things to take away. And we can’t really get a feel at all for special teams but we know that that’s going to be a factor so we’re excited about that.”
Griffin, who had his left hand amputated as a child, overcame it in winning the American Athletic Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year honors. He notched 18.5 sacks in his final two seasons at Central Florida.
In Seattle, Griffin will be paired with his twin brother, Shaquill, who was selected by the Seahawks in the third round a year ago.
K.J. Wright currently occupies the position of weakside linebacker for the Seahawks, although the veteran is entering the final year of his contract.
