NFL Draft Profile: Justin Shaffer, Offensive Lineman, Georgia Bulldogs
#54
Pos: OL
Ht: 6040
Wt: 314
Hand: 1000
Arm: 3328
Wing: N/A
40: 5.14
Bench: N/A
3-Cone: N/A
Shuttle: N/A
Vert: 25.5
Broad: N/A
DOB: 6/20/98
Eligible: 2022
Ellenwood, GA
Cedar Grove
Justin Shaffer
Georgia Bulldogs
One-Liners
Big guard with power to create movement in the run game and below average athleticism
Pros:
Starting left guard with great size and length. Shaffer possesses very good strength and plays with aggression, creating a push and uprooting defensive linemen in the run game. He opens up lanes when downblocking. Very good leverage and torque allow him to twist and finish opponents. His strikes are strong, dealing out body blows and finishing. In pass protection, he plays with above-average quickness out of his stance. Shaffer has violent hands to break the contact point and snatch extending opponents. His anchor is very good, making him hard to bull rush against.
Cons:
Below average athleticism and foot speed makes him unable to recover laterally or mirror quick rushers consistently. Shaffer occasionally shoots his hands and stops his feet. His aggressiveness causes him to lunge in the run game. Shaffer is unable to redirect, allowing defenders to shed. The lack of athleticism limits him on combo blocks and when asked to pull as he is consistently late. He often takes unfavorable angles. Shaffer possesses below-average to poor mental recognition, causing him to struggle against stunts and blitzes.
Summary:
Big guard with power to create movement in the run game and below average athleticism. Shaffer displays violence in the run game and very good anchor in pass protection. His football intelligence is below average as he struggles to pass off stunts and takes unfavorable angles. Shaffer projects as a backup guard in a gap scheme who has the strength to develop into an average starter with technical improvements and more consistent play.
Background:
Justin Shaffer attended Cedar Grove high school in Georgia where he was named to the All-State Class AAA First Team offense. After high school, 247Sports ranked him as a 3-Star recruit, the 388th-best recruit nationally, the 23rd-ranked guard recruit in the country and the 39th recruit in the state of Georgia.
Shaffer committed to Georgia and as a true freshman in 2017 he appeared in eight games as a reserve. The same continued in 2018, as Sheffer appeared in 12 games as a reserve. In 2019, he appeared in six games and started two at left guard before enduring a season-ending sprained neck injury. In 2020, he started nine games at left guard and the Peach Bowl at right guard. In 2021, he started all 15 games at left guard and was named to the AP & Coaches’ All-SEC 2nd Team.
Shaffer plays with a dog mentality on the field and has had to work hard for his success as a less-heralded recruit than the plethora of four and five stars Georgia usually starts. Shaffer is proud of his mental toughness, “I always play like I’ve got that chip on my shoulder and play like I’ve got a point to prove." Shaffer has a chance to improve his draft stock at the Reese’s Senior Bowl. Director, Jim Nagy, has effusive praise for Shaffer’s game and believes in his success at the next level because, “He’s a big-bodied guard that everyone in the league wants to play with. He can play squared up inside. He takes up space. He doesn’t get pushed or turned. I think when you talk to NFL evaluators they want guys inside that can play square. That’s something Justin can do very well.”
. Grades
Current Player Value/Potential Player Value
7.1/7.9
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