Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons is one of the most polarizing players in this year’s draft class and the only thing his impressive performance at the NFL Combine clarified was that he has the potential to be a playmaker at the next level.
Projecting where Simmons will line up on defense will vary for each franchise, as each team will have their own opinions on how to best use his skill set. With regards to the Detroit Lions, it appears very up in the air as even the Lions Wire staff is divided on if he is a linebacker, safety (full disclosure, this is my choice) or even a good fit for the Lions at the top of the first round.
Let’s begin our examination of Simmons’ by looking at the measurables produced during his Combine workout. Here is an overview of how he performed via Pride of Detroit’s Kent Platte’s RAS card:
Impressive could be an understatement.
Next up, let’s take a closer look at how the Lions prioritize these measurables, comparing and contrasting which ones are most important at the safety and linebacker positions in the Lions scheme.
Height/weight: 6-3 5/8″, 238
Priority: High for a linebacker, medium for a safety
With the physical tasks the Lions ask their linebacker to perform, they typically prefer them to carry more weight than in other schemes. Simmons 238-pounds is the exact same weight Jarrad Davis was coming out of Florida, but Davis had the frame to add weight — which he has done. If the Lions wanted to deploy Simmons at linebacker, his height/weight would meet the Lions preferred thresholds.
At safety, this isn’t as significant measurable, and because Simmons’ athleticism shines through at this size, I don’t think he is too big for the position — despite being 31 pounds heavier than any other Lions’ defensive back.
Arm length: 33 3/8″
Priority: Above average for both positions
The Lions prefer length at both positions, but it’s not a must-have measurable. For reference, Jarrad Davis and Tracy Walker both have 33.5″ arms, while last years rookies Jahlani Tavai and Will Harris have arm lengths under 32″.
40-yard dash: 4.39
Priority: Medium for a linebacker, high for a safety
Davis is the Lions fastest linebacker (he ran a 4.56 40-yard-dash at Florida’s Combine) but most checked in with 40 times in the 4.7’s seconds. Simmons would far and away be the fastest.
Long speed is more important for a defensive back, with current Lions safeties 40 times checking in between 4.41 and 4.51 seconds. Simmons tops all of them, despite being considerably heavier.
10-yard split: N/A
Priority: Medium for a linebacker, high for a safety
Lions safeties have 10-yards splits between 1.52 and 1.57 seconds, while the Linebackers range between 1.57 and 1.72 seconds. Simmons’ split isn’t available at this time, but all indications are he’ll surpass the benchmark, most likely landing in the same range as the other safeties — or faster.
Speed Score: 128.2
Priority: Medium for a linebacker, high for a safety
Speed score is a metric created by Bill Barnwell (first published in his Pro Football Prospectus in 2008) and takes into account a player’s speed and adjusts for their weight. This metric was originally designed to predict running back success but can also be applied to those defenders who have to cover them.
The basics of the score work like this, if a player’s speed score is 100, that’s considered very solid (Lions example: Tracy Walker), a score of 110 is excellent (Jarrad Davis, Will Harris), while 120 is rare. In this draft class only running back Jonathan Taylor (121.7) and linebacker Willie Gay (122.83), joined Simmons above the 120 mark.
Bench press: DNP
Priority: low
The Lions don’t put a ton of stock into the bench press results and a lot of that is because they value arm length, which is an obstacle to success in this event.
Vertical jump: 39″
Priority: High for both
The vertical jump identifies lower body strength and explosive traits, and this number is often used as a barometer to determine how strong a prospect is, as opposed to the bench press.
The minimum the Lions are looking for here is 33″, with most Lions linebackers landing between 33.5″ and 35.5″, with the safeties ranging from 35″ to 37″. Once again, Simmons would beat all current Lions players.
Broad jump: 11’0″
Priority: High for both
The broad jump measures explosiveness and short-area quickness, which is a critical skill the Lions require in their defenders. Like with the vertical jump, Simmons’ impressive 11-foot jump would best all current Lions linebackers and safeties.
3-cone: DNP
Priority: Medium for a linebacker, high for a safety
For Lions linebackers, this drill has a wide gap in scores. Of the six that tested in this drill, three ran between 7.0 and 7.03 seconds, while the other three ran between 7.35 and 7.39 seconds. This indicates it’s not a pivotal drill for this position.
For defensive backs, it’s a very different story as historically the 3-cone has been a significant measurable. It’s more important for a corner than safety, but if Simmons works out at his pro day on March 12th, the Lions will be hoping for him to get under 7.0 seconds.
Short shuttle: DNP
Priority: High for both
This drill measures lateral quickness and is very important for defenders who cover the slot, which will often be safeties and linebackers in the Lions scheme. Like with the 3-cone, the Lions will be watching to see if he runs this drill at Clemson’s pro day and will be looking for him to be under 4.2 seconds.
Conclusion
Regardless of where you think Simmons would play in the Lions defense, his athleticism checks off the appropriate boxes at both linebacker and safety. At the end of the day, regardless of if it is at linebacker or safety or both, Simmons will assume an off-the-ball role — and that will be his biggest obstacle to be selected in the top-5 picks.
Traditionally, off-the-ball players aren’t drafted at the top of Round 1, but recently that has changed with the selections of Devin White (5th overall in 2019), Roquan Smith (8th overall in 2018), and Devin Bush (10th in 2019).
Is Simmons’ skill set and athleticism enough to warrant a high selection?
That’s the million-dollar question — and one the Lions will likely be pondering as they sit at pick No. 3, weighing their options.