Draft Profile: Michael Griffin

The NFL Draft is this weekend, where the future hopes and dreams of young men will be determined. The draft has become a giant event, thanks to the marketing machine that is the NFL. There already is around the clock coverage with projections, analysis, and of course, upside. While Chris Berman will let you know what will happen seconds before it actually does, we figure we should get you ready for what you will see. So you're prepared for, well, for the upside.

Texas has produced secondary players throughout the Mack Brown era. From Quentin Jammer to Michael Huff, Texas has produced hard hitting, ball hawking playmakers. Michael Griffin finally got the chance to see extended playing time his senior year and he showed that he was another great in the recent tradition of great Texas corners and safeties. Griffin established himself as a fan favorite among the Texas Longhorns. He’s not a large safety at 6’1” and 195 lbs, but he plays like he’s much bigger. He always tries to deliver the knockout blow and continually made plays in the secondary.

Griffin is a smooth and athletic, natural athlete. He showed great speed with a 4.45 forty and is a tough, physical, and aggressive hitter that will not shy away from coming up in the box to take on a running back. He also is a playmaker in the secondary with solid hands, and would be an addition on special teams as he tied for the all-time record for blocked kicks at Texas. However, his pension for delivering the knockout blow sometimes comes back to haunt him as he is an inconsistent tackler. Also, due to his lack of size he sometimes will be overwhelmed when brought up into the box. He also relies too much on his athleticism and doesn’t have great instincts in the secondary.

Griffin is currently rated as the 2^nd best free safety in the draft and looks to be taken in the late first round to a team like Indianapolis. Griffin should make an instant impact on special teams and will get his shots to make an impact on the field. Depending on how quickly he learns and improves his technique he will only improve, and has the potential to be a pro bowler at the safety position down the line.