Could Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons be Broncos' 'Curveball' Candidate Hinted at by Insider?
The 2020 NFL Draft is just two weeks away and teams are buckling down draft preparations. While scouts, coaches, and front office brass meticulously study their draft boards, analysts and experts mock their projections based on the needs of each NFL team.
It should come as no surprise that the Denver Broncos are projected to be in the market for a wide receiver, offensive tackle, and cornerback in the first round. But that shouldn't limit the team.
KUSA’s Mike Klis joined 104.3 The FAN's Brandon Stokley and co-host Zach Bye on their radio show and hinted that a potential surprise could be coming from GM John Elway.
“I was hearing today that the Broncos’ board of receivers isn’t what everybody else’s is out there,” Klis said during his weekly radio appearance. “So be careful. They might throw the mocksters a curveball here come April 23.”
Curveball Candidate: Isaiah Simmons
Perhaps that curveball could come in the form of trading up for Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons. The 6-foot-4, 238-pound junior from Kansas played in 44 games for the Tigers.
Last year, Simmons won both the Dick Butkus Award and ACC Defensive Player of the Year, elevating his status as an elite prospect in this year’s draft. He leaves ‘Death Valley’ logging 238 total tackles (148 solo), 11 sacks, four interceptions, six forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, 20 passes defended and scored one touchdown.
Simmons’ unique physicality and athleticism will allow him to play both linebacker and defensive back in the NFL. He’s big and strong enough for combat at the line of scrimmage, while fast enough to cover wide receivers.
At the NFL Combine, Simmons impressed scouts by running a 4.39-second 40-yard dash and had a 39-inch vertical jump. His lengthy frame allows him the ability to close open distances quickly and lunge at the ball-carrier.
Because of his versatility in multiple positions including slot corner, safety, and linebacker, Simmons is a priority against any opposing offense. With him on the field, the defensive coordinator has the option to disguise base and blitz packages, or bait offenses hoping to expose information pre-snap.
How he'd Fit
If drafted by the Broncos, Simmons could be the catalyst for an iconic Denver defense.
He’d immediately solve a problem that has plagued multiple defensive coordinators and various players for years in Denver — covering the tight end. In last year’s National Championship game against LSU, Simmons demonstrated that he could cover both receivers and tight ends.
LSU TE Thaddeus Moss has comparable size to Niners' TE George Kittle but Simmons showed his ability to cover and deflect passes in coverage. Although Chiefs' TE Travis Kelce is bigger than Kittle, Simmons’ character and mentality is that of an alpha dog.
Simmons’ football awareness and ability to diagnosis plays make him a rare and sought-after prospect. He welcomes the challenge of one-on-one coverage and consistently breaks up passes when the ball his throw his way.
Simmons' college film also reveals devastating hits and forced fumbles when he’s asked to play zone defense. his eyes and natural recognition of the game are additional weapons that disrupt play-action and misdirection plays. His talents also allow him to spy mobile and nontraditional passers outside the pocket, usually resulting in a sack, QB hit, or hurried throw.
Trickle-Down Effect
As pass rushers, Von Miller, Bradley Chubb, and the newly-acquired Jurrell Casey would greatly benefit from having Simmons patrolling the middle of the field. The Broncos' current defensive backfield that features Justin Simmons, Kareem Jackson, and A.J. Bouye could also reallocate responsibilities assuming Isaiah could provide ‘Kelce coverage’.
Head Coach Vic Fangio has earned the nickname ‘evil genius’ for maximizing players' potential and could utilize Simmons as a Swiss-Army Knife. Those in Broncos Country plugged in already know that Simmons has been working out with Broncos' CB De’Vante Bausby following a social media post.
Cost of Doing Business
In a recent article, NFL Network’s Chad Reuter mocked the Broncos trading up with the Browns from the No. 15 overall pick to No. 10 to select a wide receiver (Jerry Jeudy or CeeDee Lamb). Although this mock adds to the theory that the Broncos are interested in trading up for a receiver, it also projects the cost of moving up in the draft.
Two years ago, the Cardinals moved up five spots to select QB Josh Rosen with the No. 10 overall pick and traded away their first-rounder (15), third-rounder (79), and fifth-rounder (152) to the Raiders.
There’s also the notion that there could be a run on offensive tackles in the first 10 picks of the draft. This could possibly cause Simmons to slide into a realistic range for the Broncos at No. 9 or 10 overall picks.
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah’s mock 3.0 has the Giants selecting Iowa OT Tristan Wirfs with the No. 4 overall pick, with Simmons sliding to the Browns at No. 10.
Because this is considered the deepest wide receiver draft class in recent years, the Broncos could draft Simmons and still find significant value at the WR position to complement Pro-Bowler Courtland Sutton. Potential mid-to-late-round WR options include Oregon's Juwan Johnson, USC's Michael Pittman Jr., and Rhode Island's Aaron Parker.
While it may be expensive to trade up to secure Simmons, the price shouldn’t hinder the Broncos' draft philosophy. If a team falls in love with a guy, it should do everything it can to pursue that prospect.
So, if Simmons is in fact high on the Broncos' draft board, how could Coach Fangio not love the Clemson star? Go and get him.
Follow Luke on Twitter @LukePattersonLP and @MileHighHuddle.
