NFL.com writer Gregg Rosenthal discussed one homegrown player from each NFL team to watch in 2019, and cornerback Shaquill Griffin was his pick from the Seattle Seahawks.
“Griffin looked the part of a rugged Seahawks corner as a rookie, and was viewed as the rightful heir to three-time first-team All-Pro Richard Sherman,” Rosenthal wrote.
However, Griffin’s performance took a big step backward in 2018, as he struggled to adjust to Sherman’s old position on the left side. In fact, according to Pro Football Focus, Griffin graded out as the 122nd ranked cornerback, out of just 123 that qualified.
Seattle returns Tre Flowers to start opposite Griffin, but outside of free agent Jamar Taylor the team hasn’t made any additions at corner – a good sign they are planning to let Griffin work through his struggles.
“An above-average secondary in Seattle only looks possible if you are viewing this group through Pete Carroll-colored glasses, a navy hue that transforms middle-round picks into stars through technique and pent-up aggression,” Rosenthal continued. “If Griffin is worthy of the LOB’s legacy, he should show it this season.”
