2020 NFL Draft: 5 Best landing spots for Isaiah Simmons
Isaiah Simmons is an athletic freak that can be a defensive game-changer in the NFL, so which teams would be the best fits for him in the 2020 NFL Draft?
There is absolutely no question that Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons is going to be a first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Players are simply not built in the same vein as he is with an elite combination of size, athleticism and versatility on defense. And on Saturday, all of that will be on display at the 2020 NFL Combine.
Considering that Simmons went stride for stride with Clemson running back Travis Etienne, one of the fastest backs in college football, last offseason, the linebacker has a good chance to run the fastest time in the 40-yard dash. And it wouldn’t be a bit of a surprise to see him also lead the group in the vertical jump, broad jump and maybe even the 3-cone drill while shining in drills. He’s that good.
As if the hype around Isaiah Simmons wasn’t enough entering the Combine, we’re going to see it explode after Saturday’s athletic testing. So it feels like the perfect time to examine where Simmons would fit best in the 2020 NFL Draft, specifically in terms of teams that could realistically select him in the first round.
5. Miami Dolphins
First Round Picks in 2020 NFL Draft: No. 5, No. 18, No. 26
If the Miami Dolphins weren’t in dire need of a quarterback, then taking Simmons with the No. 5 overall pick would certainly be in the cards for this franchise. As they’ve torn down their roster, it’s also been apparent that Raekwon McMillan and Jerome Baker simply aren’t enough to anchor a linebacker group. Furthermore, the defense is currently lacking a true leader and tone-setter.
Isaiah Simmons could undoubtedly be that for the Dolphins. He could immediately come in and be the MIKE linebacker for the Miami defense, which is most likely his natural position in the NFL, creating a matchup nightmare for opposing offenses with his closing speed against the run and dropping back into coverage with the athleticism and football IQ to shut down tight ends and running backs with ease.
But considering the current state of the Dolphins, they also need a player who isn’t just pigeonholed into one area of the defense and can do multiple things well on that side of the ball. That’s Simmons in a nutshell with his ability to drop back into deep coverage as a safety or even rush the passer off the edge in a stand-up pass-rushing role. All he brings to the table would be a gift for the Dolphins.
The only thing holding Miami back would be that Simmons is sure to be gone by pick No. 18. However, if they fell in love with what he could bring, trading some of their capital to move up to take the linebacker would address a big need for the Dolphins.