Assessing Redskins first-round options: Clemson DEF Isaiah Simmons
By Ian Cummings
Scouting Isaiah Simmons
Positional constructs won’t do when scouting Isaiah Simmons’ tape. Simmons is listed as a linebacker in all places where positions are required, but the fact of the matter is, he’s a position-less prospect who lined up basically everywhere on the second and third defensive levels in his time with the Clemson Tigers. His production reflects exactly that, as Simmons, in three years as a starter, logged 238 total tackles, 28.5 tackles for loss, 11.0 sacks, four interceptions, 20 pass deflections, and six forced fumbles. Now that’s a resume.
To fully encapsulate Simmons’ well-rounded profile, we’ll look at the three key areas of defensive play, in regards to Simmons’ traits: Pass coverage, run defense, and pass rushing. The breakdown is below.
Pass Coverage – Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
- Has the speed to match up with the fastest receivers, and the size to blanket them
- Good at reading screens and keying in on targets with accurate angles
- Has the ability to line up anywhere from outside linebacker to safety to slot cornerback
- Even motioned out to the boundary on select snaps in 2019
- Movement skills are position-transcendent, giving him excellent versatility
- Sheer size and length takes away options downfield, disrupting quarterbacks’ reads
- Downfield coverage technique is solid, sticks to receivers’ hip pockets
- Athletic traits give Simmons very uncommon positioning boons in space
- Handles broken plays well, has the ease of movement to lock down fading receivers
- Has the density to plow into pass catchers and send them to the ground with contact
- Flashed instincts and range with awesome interception in 2019 CFP game vs. Ohio State
Weaknesses
- Can struggle to maintain spacing equivalence in 2-on-1 situations
- There’s room for his range to become more explosive, given his physical attributes
- Prone to the play-action bite, like most linebackers, can give up space
- Can be more consistent getting his head around at the catch point
- Can sometimes give a bit too much cushion as a slot defender
Pass Coverage Summary
Pass coverage is perhaps the most exciting category of Simmons’ game; with a 6-foot-4, 230-pound frame, 4.39 speed, and a 39-inch vertical, Simmons has an athletic profile that would be in the ninety-ninth percentile at free safety. He moved all around the field in coverage at Clemson, and never found a role that his athletic qualities couldn’t fulfill. There’s still room for Simmons to maximize his range with a quicker mental trigger, which he can develop at the next level. But he’s a smart player with the speed and suddenness to match, and he has a very exciting foundation to build off of, reminiscent of the queen on a chess board.
Run Defense – Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
- Fluid mover who has the lateral burst to correct angles quickly and close ground
- Length is an asset in pursuit, helps him make plays other linebackers can’t
- Not afraid to come downhill and deliver big hits
- Heady defender who generally reads plays well and plays with patience, not giving up angles
- Employs more than enough physicality when engaging run blockers
- When mirroring players, Simmons can match from sideline to sideline
- Very proficient at sealing out the edges of the field on running plays
- Can reset feet quickly and change direction very smoothly, sacrificing little space
- Explosiveness as an athlete gives him an edge in close-quarters situations
- Has the toughness and sturdiness to square up and send runners backward when matched
Weaknesses
- Lanky frame can get sealed off easily if runs travel away from him
- Has good range, but can stand to improve further with quicker trigger and processing
- Can be too aggressive and read the wrong ball carrier in option situations
- Relative lack of functional strength shows up on occasion, can fill out frame
- Can get held up in congested situations and hesitate to navigate lanes
Run Defense Summary
Isaiah Simmons’ lanky frame can be of detriment at times, especially when going up against bigger linemen in the trenches, but in space, Simmons is a dangerous run defender, with the sideline-to-sideline range necessary to seal off outside runs, the burst to penetrate the backfield, and the physicality to make plays behind the line of scrimmage. Simmons will sometimes hesitate in congested situations, but in an NFL where getting playmakers into space is of the utmost importance, Simmons’ profile as an open space eater who can match those players, both with lateral quickness and long speed, makes him a very enticing defensive weapon.
Pass Rushing – Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
- Strong get-off gives him a stark advantage against non-athletic linemen
- Speed off the edge is lethal when unblocked, creates chaos for offense
- Has the bend and burst to redirect path violently after contact with linemen
- Has the conscience to put his hands up when in the pocket
Weaknesses
- Pass rushing repertoire is understandably sparse, given edge isn’t his main position
- Pass rushing efficiency is noted, but helped by his usage as a blitz player
- Thus, Simmons’ production can’t be compared to edge rusher production in a vacuum
Pass Rushing Summary
Pass rushing wasn’t Isaiah Simmons’ primary niche in college, but he still managed to produce at an effusive rate, generating 8.0 sacks and pressure on 32.9 percent of his rushes in 2019, per Pro Football Focus. That data comes with an asterisk, as Simmons didn’t rush the passer nearly as often as pure edge rushers, and when he did, his inclusion as a rusher sometimes created a natural imbalance. But Simmons, with his speed and length, has traits that inherently translate to his rushing profile, and he also flashes the trademark bend and burst of some of the league’s most explosive edge defenders. Simmons’ pressures aren’t always organic, but he still has the ability to disrupt the passer’s process and make an impact in this sphere.
Isaiah Simmons Overview
It’s easier to list what Isaiah Simmons can’t do, than what he can do, as the former list is much shorter. Simmons’ frame will need to be filled out a bit more at the next level, and he can stand to improve the consistency of his range. But the latter note perhaps speaks more to the otherworldly upside that Simmons has at the next level, as his current range is already very good, with flashes of excellence such as the interception against Ohio State. Simmons has the physical profile to be a defensive skeleton key, unlocking the freedom of all defensive functions while locking down receivers in coverage. It’ll take a creative defensive mind to maximize his skill set, which creates complications for the Redskins. But for a team with a need at linebacker and safety, Simmons can flourish in both roles.