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Home / frontnfl / 2020 NFL Draft Scouting Report: LB Isaiah Simmons
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2020 NFL Draft Scouting Report: LB Isaiah Simmons


Big Board ranking: #2

Positional ranking: #1

 

Overview

Position: LB

College: Clemson

Class: Junior (RS)

Age: 21

 

Measurables

Height: 6’3 5/8”

Weight: 238 lbs.

Arm length: 33 3/8”

Hand size: 9 5/8”

 

Athletic testing

40-yard dash: 4.39 sec.

Vertical jump: 39.0”

Broad jump: 132.0”

Bench press: N/A

3-cone drill: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

 

Strengths

Unmatched position versatility. Can lineup at linebacker, safety, nickel, and on the edge. Prototypical size/athleticism for modern NFL. Elite combination of speed, acceleration, explosiveness, and closing burst. Great tackle radius and pursuit when he sees his target. Very reliable tackler in space. Possesses strong hands to keep ball-carriers from escaping. Extremely fluid changing direction. Easily flips hips in man-to-man coverage. Disruptive length. Athletic profile allows him to neutralize tight ends and running backs. Stays close when matched up against slot receivers. Has the ability to play centerfield with good range. Tracks the ball well in the air. Good hands. Can contain basically anyone as a quarterback spy. Knows how to use length when getting after the passer.

 

Weaknesses

Eye discipline could use improvement. More comfortable in space than in traffic. Sometimes can lack aggression trying to make an individual play when setting the edge.

 

NFL comparison

Derwin James

 

Conclusion

Overall, Simmons is a unique chess piece that can play every position inside the numbers at the second or third level for an NFL defense. I think he has All-Pro potential as a 3-4 inside linebacker or 4-3 outside linebacker that has the benefit of playing behind a defensive line that can keep him clean.

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