STRENGTHS
Shaquem is a quick twitch athlete with good size, speed, and the quickness that every team is looking for in the new style linebacker for the NFL. He has an excellent burst to the ball and is very decisive when attacking the line of scrimmage or dropping off the line of scrimmage in coverage. He is one of the few linebackers that can be used in single coverage in the slot and actually stay with that coverage down the field. He is excellent in coverage with wheel routes to his side and as far as coming up and shedding blocks and making tackles in the back field…he is one of the quickest. Looking at film of Shaquem there is no doubt about his talent to play at the next level and there is no doubt about his effort, football IQ, leadership skills, and the fact that he has the potential to be a coach on the field. There is also no doubt that he will continue to strive to be one of the best at his position.

CONCERNS
The only concern that I see is the fact that Shaquem is not a secure tackler. He will need to improve in that area but considering all the poor tackling in the NFL, I’m not convince that overall, his tackling isn’t worse than 90 % of the defensive players in the NFL.

BOTTOM LINE
I’m not overlooking Shaquem’s, handicap I just don’t think it’s any more of a handicap than most of the other players in this draft. Most of them lack something in their athletic talent and skills like speed, or quickness or football IQ and most of them can’t tackle worth crap. The question is can Shaquem improve his ability to tackle and how much will his handicap affect his ability to play linebacker or in his case maybe safety? The truth is Shaquem can still make impact plays, he can still be a disruptive force, and he can still play on your special teams cover units. Let’s be honest, it’s not like he is a defensive lineman who needs both hands to shed blocks. If he can knock a ball down on a third and long play and make an opponent punt the ball away, isn’t that an impact play. If he can come off the slot and disrupt the timing of a quarterback and make a pressure that turns into an interception by a teammate, isn’t that an impact play. If he can sack a QB or string out a play or disrupt a screen pass, isn’t that an impact play? I mean, it’s not like he can’t make a tackle at all. I just think with his athletic talent and high football IQ to play more than one position that Shaquem’s handicap is no more of a handicap than any other rookie coming into the NFL. I watched this kid at the Senior Bowl practices and he wasn’t over matched. Yes, if he is on the field for every down on defense he can be taken advantage of… but no more than any other player who might have less athletic talent. I just think having a player with the attitude and athletic talent and Football IQ is a positive and for me I think you draft him and then you COACH BETTER. Stop looking for excuse’s not to draft good players because you’re afraid to find a better way to coach them. I’ll tell you one thing; I don’t feel sorry for this kid in the least. I’m proud of him and not because he is overcoming a handicap. I’m proud of him because he is letting nothing stop him from being successful and that’s the type of player I want on my team. Am I sure that Shaquem is an every down player? Hell, I’m not sure anyone in this draft is an every down player until they prove it or don’t prove it. That includes the first pick in the draft to the last and then the rookie free agents.

Drew Boylhart   APR.2018