Seahawks take CB Shaquill Griffin from UCF in third round

RENTON – The Seahawks selected seven cornerbacks over their first seven drafts under general manager John Schneider and coach Pete Carroll. All of them were chosen in the fourth round or later.

In that regard, the selection Shaquill Griffin from Central Florida was a slight departure from Seattle’s M.O. at cornerback, at least in terms of draft slot. The Seahawks took him with the first of their four picks in the third round Friday night, No. 90 overall.

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He otherwise looks the part of a Seahawks cornerback, listed at a little over 6 feet tall and 198 pounds with 32 3/8-inch arms. And he’s got speed to go with that size. His time of 4.38 seconds in the 40-yard dash was fourth-best among cornerbacks at this year’s scouting combine.

“He’s just our kind of DB,” Schneider said.

Carroll said Seattle views Griffin as an outside cornerback as opposed to someone who will play in the slot.

Schneider called third-round pick Shaquill Griffin “our kind of DB.” Carroll said he’s an outside CB. pic.twitter.com/dAbOY5VddH

— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) April 29, 2017

Griffin played four years at UCF and was a full-time starter for two of them. He finished his college career with seven interceptions and his 36 passes defended, the second-most in school history behind former Patriots and Eagles cornerback Asante Samuel.

Before Griffin, the highest-drafted cornerback under Schneider and Carroll was Walter Thurmond, a fourth-round pick in 2010.

Cornerback was a need for Seattle with DeShawn Shead, a starter opposite Richard Sherman for the last season and a half, coming off knee surgery that will likely sideline him for the start of next season. Seattle could slide nickelback Jeremy Lane outside to replace Shead. Neiko Thorpe, who signed an extension with Seattle earlier this offseson, is another candidate for the No. 2 cornerback job, and now Griffin will be part of that mix as well.