Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Post-Super Bowl 7-round mock NFL Draft

By Aaron Tan

DURHAM, NC - NOVEMBER 05: Shaun Wilson #29 of the Duke Blue Devils leaps for extra yardage against Tremaine Edmunds #49 of the Virginia Tech Hokies at Wallace Wade Stadium on November 5, 2016 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC - NOVEMBER 05: Shaun Wilson #29 of the Duke Blue Devils leaps for extra yardage against Tremaine Edmunds #49 of the Virginia Tech Hokies at Wallace Wade Stadium on November 5, 2016 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 01: Shaquem Griffin #18 of the UCF Knights sacks Jarrett Stidham #8 of the Auburn Tigers in the third quarter during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 1, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 01: Shaquem Griffin #18 of the UCF Knights sacks Jarrett Stidham #8 of the Auburn Tigers in the third quarter during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 1, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Round 7, Pick No. 9: Linebacker Shaquem Griffin

UCF linebacker Shaquem Griffin is the feel-good story of the draft. He lost his left hand during his childhood because of a medical condition and just led his defense to a perfect season — the only perfect season in college football last year.

But Griffin’s more than just a feel-good story. He is an excellent football player even with just one hand. Griffin is fast, has the ability to shed through blocks easily and is a hard hitter. He plays with incredible toughness and instincts resemblant of an elite linebacker. If he had both of his hands, Griffin would be a surefire first-round pick.

Although it may be harder for him to snag interceptions or wrap up to finish tackles, Griffin has all the qualities of a great defensive player. For him to battle through this type of adversity is telling of his work ethic as a player. Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch love players like Griffin and would not hesitate to pick him up this late in the draft.