Isaiah Simmons is a versatile stud in the 2020 NFL Draft

Isaiah Simmons is one of the most versatile and talented prospects in the 2020 draft class, here we examine the best team fits for him.

Isaiah Simmons is unquestionably one of the premier defensive prospects in the 2020 NFL Draft. However, such is his versatility, that it’s tough to nail down a definitive position for the Clemson star.

A unanimous All-American in 2019, Simmons is effectively a position-less player who represents where the game is going. He can play the deep middle as a safety, in the box as a linebacker and give the occasional snap as a cornerback.

Long and athletic, Simmons closes to the football in a hurry, displaying bend and the ability to negotiate traffic as a pass rusher.

His length enables him to make plays on the ball in coverage. For a player of his 6-foot-4 and 230-pound size, he possesses excellent recovery speed in coverage and can find the football in the air.

Simmons’ anticipation in zone coverage is extremely well developed for someone of his tender years, while his ability to read the quarterback’s eyes and change direction fluidly makes him an effective QB spy.

Whichever team lands Simmons should relish the opportunity to find the ideal spot for him in their defense.

Here we examine the best fits for one of the 2020 class’s most intriguing prospects.

Detroit Lions

Speed on defense has long since been a problem for the Lions, who hold the third-overall pick in the first round.

Simmons would help address that issue and, having traded Quandre Diggs to the Seattle Seahawks in October, Detroit could certainly use safety help.

Regardless of whether the Lions deployed Simmons, he would be a dynamic addition to a defense sorely lacking playmakers.

Los Angeles Chargers

Quarterback is the priority for the Chargers after their uncoupling with Philip Rivers.

If they replace Rivers in free agency, Simmons should entice the team that holds the sixth pick in the first round.

The Chargers already have one safety who can fill multiple roles in Derwin James. The possibility of him and Simmons patrolling the field from various spots would make a talented Chargers defense that much more fearsome.

Arizona Cardinals

Arizona has solid safeties with the likes of Deionte Thompson and the versatile Budda Baker on its roster.

The Cardinals have needs on both sides of the trenches and at the offensive skill positions. For them to topple the NFC West-champion San Francisco 49ers, though, they will have to find a way to stop tight end George Kittle.

Still, the defense was a sieve in 2019. With his size, speed and coverage ability, adding Simmons with the eighth pick would give the Cardinals a much better chance of stopping the division’s most dynamic offensive weapon.

Las Vegas Raiders

It’s unclear whether the Raiders will allow strong safety Karl Joseph to get to free agency but, even if they bring him back, the Las Vegas franchise arguably represents the best fit for Simmons.

Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden drafted two Clemson players in 2019 in Clelin Ferrell and Trayvon Mullen.

Should they let Joseph walk, Simmons could form a dynamic young safety pairing with Johnathan Abram. If they bring Joseph back, Simmons would still be a welcome addition to a defense desperately short of talent at linebacker.

His talents as a pass rusher would also alleviate some of the strain on Ferrell and Maxx Crosby.

The Raiders have two picks in the first round (12 &19), using one on Simmons should he still be available would be a sound strategy.

Cleveland Browns

Safety is a significant area of concern for the Browns going into 2020.

Damarious Randall and Eric Murray are both free agents and last year’s fourth-round pick Sheldrick Redwine is coming off a disappointing rookie year.

Grant Delpit and Xavier McKinney could both be on Cleveland’s radar as more conventional deep safeties.

However, if Simmons is still on the board at 10, the Browns may take a shot on his multi-faceted skill set and hope his abilities as a QB spy can help him slow down Lamar Jackson.