Is tonight the night UCF’s Shaquem Griffin gets drafted?

The NFL Draft is about dreams coming true. And, tonight there will be 64 more selections for the second and the third round. Lots of teams have been pouring over their draft boards and what they did and didn’t get on night one. And, now, as it all gets underway, again, we wonder: will we hear the name: “Shaquem Griffin, UCF,” tonight?

Griffin, who was the American Defensive Player of the Year last season, doesn’t mind tonight, or even tomorrow, if he’s the last man in the green room. He let that be known by saying he’s just glad to be there in Arlington, TX. If you didn’t like him already maybe this can help.

Griffin will return for the second and third round in hopes he hears his name called tonight. Last year on this day in the draft the Seattle Seahawks selected his twin brother Shaquill Griffin.

On Friday afternoon, NFL.com released this video showing Shaquill encouraging his brother:

"I've been through so much… I don't know where I'd be without [@ShaquillG]."@Shaquemgriffin is brought to tears after receiving a special #NFLDraft message from his twin brother. pic.twitter.com/xSmDk8IZck

— NFL (@NFL) April 27, 2018

Griffin isn’t just a feel-good story he’s an excellent football player. How he will be used at the next level remains to be seen, but whoever gets him is getting a hard-working young man and most importantly a talented football player.

As we have written already, Griffin can bring positional flexibility to whatever team decides to take him and will be a special team’s contributor from day one. He also has the ability to move into a full-time role faster than some people may think.

He can be a weakside linebacker in a 4-3 scheme. Or he could play a hybrid role in the 3-4. Griffin’s 4.38 forty time, fastest among linebackers/safeties at the combine, showed that he could match up with running backs and tight ends speedwise.

He could also be a change of pace pass rusher for a team that has the ability to drop in coverage. Ask the Auburn Tigers from last year’s Peach Bowl.

While his physical limitation will impact where he gets picked, his instincts, game speed and technique will help overshadow that. Yes, he may not have a left hand, and yes, this is not the American Conference, it’s NFL. The bottom line though is:  he is fast and athletic and is just a flat out play maker.

Whoever drafts him may that be tonight or tomorrow will be getting a player ready to go from day one.