Falcons Have 'Wonderful' Interviews with Auburn Draft Prospect Jaylin Simpson
INDIANAPOLIS -- Growing up in southeast Georgia, Jaylin Simpson was surrounded by Atlanta Falcons fans.
But Simpson, who played at Frederica Academy in Brunswick, Georgia, didn't spend his Sundays watching the Falcons in particular - or any NFL team.
Instead, Simpson grew attachments to players - it just so happens one of them played for his home state team and influenced his jersey selection as a young player.
"I used to like Michael Turner when I was little," Simpson told SI's Falcon Report at the NFL Combine. "When I played little league, I played a little bit of every position at the time.
"I was a running back, so I used to like Michael Turner and I was No. 3. He actually made me want to switch my number. Because he was 33, I wanted to be No. 33."
Feb 29, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Auburn defensive back Jaylin Simpson (DB62) talks to the media during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Now, Simpson, a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award given annually to college football's best defensive back and an AP first-team all-SEC selection, looks back on his days in the backfield with a chuckle.
"I don't know what all that was about," Simpson said. "But all that running back stuff, I can't do that now."
What Simpson can do, however, is play both cornerback and safety, presenting him with the versatility to handle a variety of roles at the next level.
This is where Atlanta enters the fold.
Auburn Tigers defensive back Jaylin Simpson (36) celebrates before being called for defensive pass interference call during the first quarter as Auburn Tigers take on New Mexico State Aggies at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
© Jake Crandall / USA TODAY NETWORK
Falcons defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake values players who can do multiple jobs on the back end, once citing the sport's violence as reason to have as many versatile pieces as possible.
Simpson started his career at Auburn as a safety, playing in four games during his true freshman season in 2019. He spent the following three years as a cornerback, playing in 33 games with a handful of starts.
His most successful year on the outside came in 2022, when he made 37 tackles, broke up seven passes and hauled in two interceptions.
Then, over the offseason heading into his fifth collegiate campaign, Auburn's defensive staff approached Simpson with an idea: move back to safety, as the Tigers needed depth and he was the most versatile defensive back in their stable.
Simpson agreed, and he responded with a breakthrough season spearheaded by four interceptions and seven pass breakups.
His tape garnered several accolades and a trip to the Reese's Senior Bowl - where he had a pair of productive interviews with the Falcons, bucking the usual trend of meetings at the all-star event.
"It was wonderful," Simpson said. "Usually, (when) you meet with a team, you meet with them once, maybe you get two or three. But I got to meet with them twice back-to-back. It was 20 long minutes. Just straight talking to get to know me. I think we had a great interview."
Simpson said he doesn't remember any of the names of attendees, but Atlanta's coaching staff was still in flux due to the firing of head coach Arthur Smith and hiring of Raheem Morris, so the team was represented by scouts and other personnel members in Mobile.
The 6-0, 179-pound Simpson has a unique football track record, as he played offense and defense throughout his entire high school career.
He was primarily recruited as a defensive back, but one school - he thinks Georgia Tech - offered him as a quarterback. He decided to roll with the secondary and has watched his career blossom.
Athletically, Simpson is stout. He ran a 4.45 40-yard dash and had a 39.5-inch vertical and 11-foot, 1-inch broad jump. His athleticism score of 87 ranks seconds among safeties at the Combine, per NFL.Com.
Currently projected as a Day 3 pick, Simpson doesn't need to be a priority selection for Atlanta's front office - but if he is, he'll enjoy the homecoming.
"Yeah, because I know a lot of people," Simpson said of representing his home state. "It's definitely a thought. So, I mean, I wouldn't mind being home. That's the home state, so it is what it is."
Simpson, who turns 23 on March 17, has come a long way since watching Turner and Julio Jones on his screen, some four hours away from the Georgia Dome.
There's a chance he's much closer this fall - with the odds only increased by his athleticism, versatility and a pair of mutually enjoyable meetings under his belt.
"I like them, I think they like me," Simpson said. "So we'll see."
