The LA Rams should consider drafting Shaquem Griffin

One-handed draft prospect Shaquem Griffin took over the internet during the NFL Combine. The LA Rams should be interested in drafting Griffin.

Shaquem Griffin is something special. Despite missing his left hand, Griffin was offered a football scholarship to the University of Central Florida. It does not stop there, though, as Griffin was a second-team All-American, a two-time All-AAC member and the 2016 AAC Defensive Player of the Year. Now, Griffin certainly is in line to be drafted in the 2018 NFL Draft; potentially by the LA Rams.

The Los Angeles Rams have been busy this offseason. Los Angeles went from a young playoff team with a ton of potential to a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Not only are the Rams a Super Bowl contender, they are likely favored by many and could turn into a multi-year powerhouse.

Part of turning into a powerhouse has cost the LA Rams some high draft picks. The Rams are without their first and second-round picks in the 2018 NFL Draft; they were used for Brandin Cooks and Sammy Watkins, respectively. Of course, Watkins is no longer on the team.

This leaves Rams’ fans waiting until the third-round to hear their team’s name called in the draft. While the Rams could get creative by trading any combination of their five sixth-round picks, for now, the third-round is set to be the Rams’ first selection in the draft.

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There are two positions that can be improved upon in the draft: tight end and linebacker. With the Rams picking tight end Gerald Everett in the second-round of last year’s draft, the choice becomes simple.

And the choice should be Shaquem Griffin.

Griffin is as explosive as he is athletic; as inspiring as he is tenacious. The inside linebacker ran the fastest 40-yard dash time by a linebacker in NFL Combine history. Not only did he impress there, Griffin benched 20 reps with a prosthetic hand. He is a freak athlete.

However, the ceiling has not been placed high for Griffin. His NFL Draft & Combine profile grades him as back up or special teams potential. Lance Zierlein had this to say around Griffin heading into the 2018 NFL Draft:

"“Griffin’s physical limitation should be discussed as it pertains to areas like tackle disengagement and consistency of finishing, but his instincts, play speed and technique have all been major factors in helping him thrive at his position. His upfield burst as an edge blitzer and his range as a tackler are two strengths that NFL teams could capitalize on. Griffin could hear his name on day three of the draft, but if not, his competitive spirit and playmaking talent give him a shot to make a roster at some point in his career.”"

Zierlein says plenty of positive things about Griffin with the one negative being his left hand. It is understandable; teams do not really know how to handle Griffin’s situation. His athleticism carried him to be an elite college defender. But there are worries of that translating to the NFL.

And while it will be a challenge, there is no one better to take up that challenge than LA Rams defensive coordinator Wade Phillips. Phillips is a defensive mastermind and Griffin would fit perfectly as an inside linebacker for the Rams.

Los Angeles needs a playmaker in the linebacker unit, Griffin is as close to that as they are going to get this late in the draft. Griffin has the skill set to be a second or even a first-round guy; it is up to the Rams to step up and take on the challenge of adapting him to the NFL.

Next: Could the Rams go 16-0?

What do you think? Do you want to see the LA Rams Shaquem Griffin in the third, fourth or even fifth-round of the 2018 NFL Draft?

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