Top draft pick finally comes through for Arizona Cardinals
By Jim Koch
Seven weeks into the 2020 campaign, top draft selection Isaiah Simmons finally showed the Arizona Cardinals what he can do
For six straight weeks, the Arizona Cardinals had waited patiently. Isaiah Simmons, the eighth-overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft, had given the club very little on the playing field. This past Sunday night, the Cards top rookie finally showed the football world what he can do.
With time running out in overtime against the Seattle Seahawks, Simmons made what turned out to be the play of the game. Facing a 3rd down and 14 from his own 48-yard line, Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson lofted a pass that was intended for wide receiver Tyler Lockett. Simmons snatched the ball out of the air, a game-changing interception that ultimately led to Arizona’s scintillating 37-34 victory.
Seated in the owner’s box at State Farm Stadium, Cardinals general manager Steve Keim must’ve breathed a sigh of relief. The organization had made an investment in Simmons, and were looking for some payback from the former Clemson University linebacker. Up until that moment against Seattle, it would have been fair to wonder if the Cards had botched yet another of their number-one draft selections.
Through six matchups this season, Simmons had failed to live up to the hype that surrounded him in the months leading up to last April’s draft. The 6’4, 238 pounder carried with him a reputation for being a versatile performer who could play several positions. To avoid confusing the youngster, Arizona told Simmons to concentrate solely on the inside linebacker spot at the professional level.
In fairness to Simmons, the Cardinals have two talented veterans ahead of him on the depth chart. De’Vondre Campbell, a former member of the Atlanta Falcons, signed a one-year deal with the franchise this past March. Jordan Hicks, a tackling machine who was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles, joined the Cards in March of 2019.
The on-field contributions from Simmons thus far have been miniscule. In seven appearances (four starts) for Arizona, the 22-year old has totaled 12 tackles, two passes defensed and the clutch pick that helped the squad defeat the Seahawks.
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It was fantastic to see Simmons come through in such a big way versus Seattle. The Cardinals can only help that there will be many more big plays from the talented defender in years to come.