Green Bay Packers: Scouting Report on UDFA S Frankie Griffin

Here is what one draft analyst had to say about Green Bay Packers undrafted free agent safety, Frankie Griffin of Texas State.

After a brutal all-around performance from the safety position in 2018, last offseason it was transformed with the additions of Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage via free agency and the draft. Add in that Raven Greene will be back to fill that hybrid linebacker/safety role, and the Green Bay Packers now have a very good starting unit.

However, what they could use more of is depth. Under defensive coordinator Mike Pettine the Packers run with three safeties quite often and we saw how much the middle of the defense missed Greene when he was out last season with an injury.

With the lack of depth and overall uncertainty at the inside linebacker position, having a safety that can play close to the line of scrimmage while also being able to hold his own in coverage is key for this defense. A few other names that will be competing for a roster spot at safety include Will Redmond, seventh-round pick Vernon Scott, and undrafted free agent (UDFA) Frankie Griffin of Texas State.

Griffin saw playing time all four years at Texas State where he appeared in 43 games and was a starter for most of them. However, it was over his final three seasons that Griffin was able to put up some impressive numbers.

During that span, he would total 212 tackles, 25.5 of which were for a loss, along with 7.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries. As a result, in 2017 he was a third-team All-Sun Belt member, in 2018 he was an honorable mention, and in 2019 Griffin was a pre-season third-team selection.

On top of that, and take it as you will, but Griffin did receive an elite coverage grade and an elite run defense grade by Pro Football Focus during his time at Texas State.

What makes Griffin such an intriguing player to watch this summer is his versatility. During the 2017 season at Texas State he was a starting linebacker, but he really played all over the place while he was there, and with Green Bay he is listed as a safety.

That positional flexibility is coveted by Pettine and is certainly something that plays in Griffin’s favor when it comes to making the final roster.

For a closer look at Griffin’s game, here is what Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network had to say in his final scouting report prior to the NFL Draft:

"“Positives: Athletic safety who was used in more of a linebacker role last season. Easily changes direction, displays good speed to the flanks and shows excellent range on the field. Rarely off his feet, effectively uses his hands to protect himself and holds his ground against blocks. Possesses a closing burst to the play.Negatives: Not forceful on the blitz. Deep speed is a concern. Really better up the field than in reverse.Analysis: Griffin is a hard-hitting strong safety with decent size. He comes with speed and scheme limitations, but he could make a roster as a ninth defensive back and special-teams player.”"

Of course, it’s going to come down to what Griffin can show on the field during training camp and the preseason but his skill-set and versatility make him someone to keep your eyes on this summer. As always it won’t be easy making the final roster as a UDFA, but with the Green Bay Packers we’ve seen it happen many times before and the practice squad is certainly in play for Griffin as well.