Cardinals Just Got Steal of the Draft With Selection of Isaiah Simmons
By Michael Luciano
As much as Kliff Kingsbury likes to add new pieces on offense, he knew that the Arizona Cardinals needed to bolster a defensive unit that kept them out of a lot of big games, and did he ever beef up a subpar linebacking unit.
The Cardinals used the No. 8 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft on Clemson linebacker/safety Isaiah Simmons.
Arizona picks up a do-it-all defender
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 24, 2020
The Cardinals select Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons with the No. 8 pick in the #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/LoqMyLnRCF
The lack of a true position scared some away from Simmons, but this is a true game-changing freak that will start right away in Arizona.
Given his combination of versatility, speed and strength when lining up as a pass rusher, Simmons might end up being the steal of the draft when it is all said and done. The Giants passed on him at No. 4, and some felt the Panthers might've taken him at No. 7 instead of Derrick Brown, but they opted for the Auburn DT.
Here's how new Cardinals LB/S Isaiah Simmons was used last season at Clemson:
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 24, 2020
Safety: 218 snaps
Slot CB: 286 naps
OLB: 160 snaps
ILB: 120 snaps
Perimeter: 17 snaps
On just 71 pass rush attempts, Simmons stacked up 7 sacks.
The Cardinals were one of the worst teams in the league when it came to defending the pass, especially against tight ends. Simmons not only stops that problem, but he should be a versatile chess piece that Vance Joseph can move all around their defense.