Combine: Forty: 4.39...Wing: 81.8...BP: NA
VJ: 39.0...BJ: 132.0...3C: 8.03...20S: 4.87 ...60S: NA...
10th fastest forty across all positions...Only DB's and receivers scored higher... BJ only bested by one non-DB or WR...VJ tied him with 3rd among LB's...Average of all his metrics were higher than the averages for all other players at LB from 1987 - 2020.
Gollin - Without diving deep into the diagnostics, what struck me most about the Cardinals last year was our defense's inability to convert 3rd downs. We also needed help at one safety position and needed an upgrade along the front seven. Whether Simmons is slotted at LB or safety (or both) doesn't matter - we need help at both positions. One thing that makes Cardinal fans nervous is his comp to Buc Bucannnon. While both players are Swiss Army Knives, the Cardinal Faithful hopes Simmons will be a bigger, faster, smarter version of Bucannon (and the Cardinal Nervous frets that Simmons will be merely a somewhat confused clone of the Bucco). I expect Vance Joseph to move Simmons ("under disguise") around the defensive Front 11 - Providing a pass-rush counter-balance to Chandler Jones on some downs, lining up next to Budda Baker at safety on other downs, Covering TE's like Kissell on others..and so on. I was very happy about this pick because it adds a play-maker and suggests the Cardinal defense will be at the cutting edge strategicially. - JGG
Charlie Campbell - Strong safety who could also get consideration in a move to linebacker - a big strong safety who runs well for a player of his size. He could easily grow into a Will linebacker . He is a tough run defender who flies around the field and is a physical tackler. Simmons has good instincts with a nose for the football. Showed the NFL he can be a linebacker who can cover like a safety. ..A future top-20 pick who can do everything on the field. He is a sideline-to-sideline run defender with speed and physicality. He also covers well in pass coverage while being able to contribute to the pass rush as a dangerous blitzer. His 2019 tape is going to cause teams to fall in love. ...Over the ACC Championship Game and opening round of the playoffs, he totaled 13 tackles with two interceptions. Superb in pass coverage...Also superb against South Carolina, recording 10 tackles with a sack and a pass broken up, showing tremendous speed and athleticism, running with a slot receiver deep down the field in man coverage. Excellent against Florida State, helping to shut down Cam Akers while collecting eight tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Taking on North Carolina, Simmons had 10 tackles with a sack and pass broken up. He had 10 tackles against Georgia Tech in the season opener and was all over the field for the Tigers. In 2019, Simmons has 96 tackles with six sacks, one forced fumble, three interceptions and six passes broken up.
PFF- "Simmons is on another level athletically from linebackers across the country. He’d be an elite athlete for a safety, and his coverage skills are unsurprisingly elite already."
Lindy's - 101 tackles, (16 for loss), 8 sacks and three interceptions en route to winning the Butkus Award as the nation's top LB....One of the best athletes in the draft...built like a big LB but moves like an undersized safety...Deployed all over the field: LB. Edge Rusher, Safety, nickelback and outside CB - Dazzled in all areas...Instincts, effort and positive attitude will allow him to thrive anywhere...Isn't a classic thumper...zone coverage awareness could use some polishing....Much of his value comes in the ability to be deployed anywhere...Comp: Derwin James...."
McShay - "...Simmons is what every NFL team dreams of having at its disposal. He can rush the passer, he can stand up against the run and he can drop into coverage..."
USA Today - "No one else has his across-the-board athleticism"...Expect him to run step for step with elite RBs and post the best VJ and BJ Combine scores...May set the standard for what teams are looking for in hybrid-type defenders. |
