Raising Zona
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Arizona Cardinals: 4 individual award candidates

By Damian Parson

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 22: Head coach Kliff Kingsbury of the Arizona Cardinals and quarterback Kyler Murray #1 talk on the sidelines during the game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on December 22, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 22: Head coach Kliff Kingsbury of the Arizona Cardinals and quarterback Kyler Murray #1 talk on the sidelines during the game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on December 22, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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TALLAHASSEE, FL – OCTOBER 27: Linebacker Isaiah Simmons #11 of the Clemson Tigers in action during the game against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on October 27, 2018 in Tallahassee, Florida. The #2 Ranked Clemson Tigers defeated the Florida State Seminoles 59 to 10. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL – OCTOBER 27: Linebacker Isaiah Simmons #11 of the Clemson Tigers in action during the game against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on October 27, 2018 in Tallahassee, Florida. The #2 Ranked Clemson Tigers defeated the Florida State Seminoles 59 to 10. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

Isaiah Simmons: Defensive Rookie of the Year

Isaiah Simmons fell right into the Arizona Cardinals’ lap during the NFL Draft. In a previous piece, it was illustrated how he can positively impact Arizona’s defense. Simmons is a safety/linebacker hybrid. It is rare to find a defensive back trapped inside of a linebacker’s body.

If defensive coordinator Vance Joseph uses Clemson’s blueprint on how to deploy Simmons, the impact could be game-changing. Proper usage will be pivotal for Simmons to replicate the versatile performance he displayed in Death Valley.

Simmons could face more targets than the average linebacker, with more opportunities to finish with statistics similar to a defensive back. If Simmons can rack up the tackles, sacks, pass break-ups, and interceptions, his case for defensive rookie of the year will be as strong as anyone. Chase Young poses the biggest threat to Simmons for the Defensive Rookie of the Year award, but Simmons should be a leading candidate.

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