Shaquem Griffin could be the simple answer for the Pittsburgh Steelers
Everyone is so focused on the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, that the name Shaquem Griffin rarely comes up for the Pittsburgh Steelers. But it should.
UFC linebacker, Shaquem Griffin, is the biggest underdog story of the 2018 NFL Draft. After losing his left hand at the age of four, Griffin went from a little kid with dreams of overcoming adversity, to one of the nation’s brightest young stars.
With the entire country behind him, Griffin has done more than anyone ever expected this offseason as he proves himself time and time again heading into the NFL Draft. Projected as a third round pick, Griffin will have all 32 teams considering his name, but one that stands out will be the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Steelers are no longer in need of a starting inside linebacker. Signing Jon Bostic for the next two years, this team has a reliable run stuffer in the middle to accompany Vince Williams on the inside.
Bostic doesn’t bring an answer for lacking coverage at the position, though. Without Ryan Shazier, this defense still has a hole over the middle when dropping back in coverage. While some say a first-round pick would solve the issue, which it would, Pittsburgh has other priorities they can tend to.
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Finding the successor of Ben Roethlisberger can certainly be solved at No. 28. Replacing Le’Veon Bell may also be on their agenda come April 26. And yes, drafting a highly-talented inside linebacker can certainly be top concern for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
But they can wait. By using the first round to fill other concerns, Pittsburgh can wait on a coverage inside linebacker. Come the bottom of the second, or maybe even the third round, the Steelers can find Griffin waiting to hear his name called by some NFL organization.
No one is doubting Griffin anymore. The linebacker has taken his opportunity and ran with it, and now, there is little question whether or not he’ll be an NFL star. For a second or third round pick, solving the coverage problem in the middle and finding the next potential stud at inside linebacker could be irresistible for a team like the Steelers.
The draft is a strange and unpredictable event. Even if everyone tries their hand in guessing. How players fall or when teams pull the trigger on underdogs isn’t known until Roger Goodell is standing on the podium announcing the name.
Griffin could be the shocking call for Pittsburgh this year. But with so much upside, and a quick solution to one of their only remaining defensive concerns, it’s a pick that can take this team to the top of the league.
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Consider it – fill another void in the opening round, then wait until the second or third and draft the coverage linebacker. If his name is Shaquem Griffin, the Steelers win the heart of the nation, and the steal of the middle of the draft.