NFL Draft Prospect: Clemson Linebacker Isaiah Simmons

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We give you another chapter in our looks at the 2020 NFL draft prospects. Today, we take a look at the defensive side of the football.

Chase Young isn’t the defensive king of the 2020 NFL draft anymore. Who is better than Young, Javon Kinlaw, and Derrick Brown? The versatile Clemson linebacker, Isaiah Simmons, is by far the defensive king of the 2020 draft.

Simmons started out as a safety so the switch to linebacker gave him additional opportunities which he used to add skills and knowledge. His overall speed, closing pursuit and hit power make him the most coveted defensive player of this draft. He is the top pass rusher and run stopper in this draft. The game film proves just how much better he is than the other defensive prospects. He is also useful in pass coverage down the field. Simmons has so many valuable skills in his tool kit and he can give a defense an edge.

He brings a ton of energy and has that high motor that coaches and players love to see. He aggressively chases down quarterbacks and has next-level closing speed. How many 6′ 4″ linebackers run a 4.39 40- yard dash? There is nothing common about that. Simmons was also the first Clemson linebacker to win the Butkus award. Simmons is flat out overpowering and will be the defensive juggernaut that multiple teams make calls to trade up for.

Quarterbacks usually don’t see Simmons closing in for sacks. Once he pushes through the offensive line, the play is over. Simmons recorded eight sacks, three interceptions, 16 tackles for loss (TFL), 107 tackles and one forced fumble in 2019. Simmons should prove to be better than the free agents Joe Schobert, Blake Martinez, and Danny Trevathan as well. That may sound like an arrogant and naive take, but watch the game film and see.