Isaiah Simmons could tempt Arizona Cardinals on draft day
By Jim Koch
There’s a good chance that the Arizona Cardinals could draft the linebacker if he’s available for them in the first round
Don’t look now, but another candidate has emerged as a possible first-round selection for the Arizona Cardinals in the upcoming NFL Draft. The league’s annual Scouting Combine has raised the stock of many college prospects in the past, and this year was no different. If Isaiah Simmons wasn’t on the Cards most-wanted list before, the freakishly talented youngster should certainly have their attention now.
What Simmons accomplished this past week in Indianapolis was downright incredible. The Clemson University product ran the 40-yard dash in a lightning-fast 4.39 seconds, the second-best number of any linebacker since 2003. What makes that time even more impressive is the fact that it was achieved by a 6’4, 238 pound individual.
Simmons is a versatile defender who has lined up at several positions during his college career. Besides playing linebacker, the Tigers have also used him at safety, nickel cornerback and on the defensive line. Arizona’s defense is in dire need of a playmaker, and Simmons could certainly fill that role for coordinator Vance Joseph‘s unit.
If the blistering 40-yard dash performance by the 21-year old isn’t enough, Simmons also excelled in a couple of other areas at the combine. His 11-foot broad jump ranked best among all of the linebackers as well. The 39-inch vertical jump posted by Simmons tied for second-best.
As a junior last fall, Simmons racked up an eye-popping 104 tackles, eight sacks, three interceptions and eight pass breakups. While his ability to bring down ball-carriers and get to the quarterback has gotten him noticed, it’s his coverage skills that should be particularly appealing to the Cardinals. Anyone who watched Joseph’s group in ’19 would be painfully aware of the Cards pronounced inability to cover the opposition’s tight ends.
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Before last week’s combine, Arizona’s chances of having Simmons available for them when they select in the first round would have appeared to be good. Unfortunately, the odds of him being there now have likely diminished. If Simmons is still on the board at the number-eight pick, however, the Cardinals braintrust would have to seriously consider bringing him to the desert.