When the Arizona Cardinals selected linebacker Isaiah Simmons with the eighth overall pick in the 2020 draft, it was widely lauded as being an incredible value. The team had him in their top five players of the entire draft.
How great a value was the pick?
Draft Wire managing editor Luke Easterling quantified it, ranking all 32 first-round picks in terms of value. He used his final player rankings before the draft and compared it to the selection they were actually taken.
Simmons, the eighth overall pick, was the fifth-best value. He was ranked third overall and drafted eighth overall, giving him a value of +5.
Only four players were drafted further below their draft ranking.
Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Cesar Ruiz topped the value rankings with a +8, as he was selected 24th overall and rated the 16th-best player. Next were Denver Broncos receiver Jerry Jeudy, Dallas Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb and Minnesota Vikings cornerback Jeff Gladney, all selected seven spots below their draft rating.
The difference with Simmons is that he was the only one of the top values to be selected in the top 10 of the draft, which is far more difficult to do.
No other player had a value rating of more than +3. Only 14 players had a positive value rating. 18 had negative value ratings.
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Ep. 267
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Ep. 266
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