Linebacker Jaylon Carlies hasn’t been the only Colts’ Day 3 draft pick to make some noise early on in training camp. On Sunday, during the team’s third practice, cornerback Jaylin Simpson had a few splash plays of his own.
According to Joel Erickson of the Indy Star Simpson has been “impressive,” making at least two pass breakups on Sunday, along with coming away with an interception on an underthrown deep ball by Sam Ehlinger–although the play was overturned due to a pass interference call.
Simpson was one of the Colts’ three fifth-round picks this past April out of Auburn, where he played safety, but will be transitioning to cornerback with Indianapolis.
Although listed as a safety in college, Simpson has cornerback experience, playing 915 snaps from the boundary and another 309 from the nickel. In 2023, Simpson was one of PFF’s highest-graded safeties in coverage, recording four interceptions and four pass breakups.
Over his career, Simpson allowed a completion rate of only 52 percent, held pass-catchers to under 13.0 yards per reception, and had seven interceptions with 14 pass breakups.
“I got switched by my coaches, but it was because they knew I was a versatile guy and they felt as if I was the guy that could have played multiple positions,” said Simpson after being drafted.
“That’s just going to translate, that’s just who I am, that’s what I do. I’m just a DB, I’m not one defined defensive back. Corner, safety, nickel, I can play all of them.”
Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley would say that the only given right now at cornerback is that Kenny Moore will be in the nickel. However, the battle is already starting to take shape.
Second-year cornerback JuJu Brents appears to be fairly locked into one of the starting boundary positions, while Jaylon Jones and Dallis Flowers having been competing for the playing time opposite of Brents, with Jones having taking the starting reps early on in practice.
Simpson may end up providing depth this season, but his versatility gives the Colts’ options in how they build out their defensive backfield. As the old saying goes, the more you can do.
“With Jaylin Simpson,” said GM Chris Ballard in April, “where he’s got some versatility where he can play corner, nickel, safety.”