If you missed the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday night, you missed one of the all-time great workouts as Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons put on a show in primetime.
At 6’4, 238 pounds, Simmons ran a 4.39 40-yard dash and jumped 39 inches in the vertical. He also had a 132″ broad jump, which was the fourth-best of any player in the 2020 NFL Draft. Take a look at his athletic web via MockDraftable.com:
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The only downside to Simmons’ performance was that he certainly put himself in the discussion for a top-five pick and outside of the range for the Raiders. However, given the team’s need at linebacker, should the Raiders consider trading up for this generational talent?
The answer to that question might depend on what the team does in free agency. If the Raiders can address their other needs at wide receiver and cornerback during free agency, Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden might be more open to a possible trade. For example, if the Raiders were able to sign a Byron Jones along with an Emmanuel Sanders, that would likely free them up to make such a bold move in the first round.
Simmons is precisely the type of player the Raiders need on defense as he can play multiple positions at an elite level. He’s a playmaker who finds the football and his versatility and athleticism are rare. But what would be the potential cost to acquire him?
According to the Jimmy Johnson Trade Value Chart, picks No. 12 and No. 19 would roughly equal the No. 3 or No. 4 pick in this draft. Is Simmons worth two first-round picks to the Raiders? That is a question the team will have to answer over the next few months. But considering his talent level, it’s certainly a conversation worth having.
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