New Cardinals LB Isaiah Simmons gets compared to Godzilla and Zion
Apr 23, 2020, 8:18 PM
New Arizona Cardinals linebacker Isaiah Simmons is really fun to watch.
The No. 8 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft is a freak of nature athletically.
Here he is going down to the wire in a sprinting race against Clemson’s starting running back, showing off that 4.39 40-yard dash speed.
The Arizona Cardinals' newest linebacker, Isaiah Simmons, has some serious speed 👀
He kept up with starting Clemson RB @swaggy_t1 pic.twitter.com/mMuKDf0Bth
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) April 24, 2020
Even when his defense gives up a touchdown, it somehow still produces a highlight of him.
A LINEBACKER just went step for step with one of the best runners in the nation.
Isaiah Simmons is something else. pic.twitter.com/Ysljy36KSB
— Carter Donnick (@CDonnick3) December 29, 2019
The versatility pops everywhere because, again, this dude is just short of 6-foot-4, weighs over 235 pounds and can make plays all over the field, even deep in coverage.
Isaiah Simmons is a FREAK pic.twitter.com/6ssQPrTWo4
— Blake 🧸 (@HoodieRamey) April 22, 2020
Here’s a draft highlight reel for ya to wrap it up on the video front.
Arizona picks up a do-it-all defender
The Cardinals select Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons with the No. 8 pick in the #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/LoqMyLnRCF
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 24, 2020
So, it shouldn’t surprise you that experts love him.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. listed his favorite prospects in the 2020 class at each position and Simmons was one of his picks.
Simmons is the best off-ball linebacker in this class, and he has some pass-rush ability; he had eight sacks last season. But what I love about him is the versatility. According to ESPN Stats & Information research, he played at least 120 snaps at inside linebacker, outside linebacker, slot cornerback and safety last season, and he even lined up at perimeter cornerback on 17 snaps. He’s a rare athlete — he ran a blazing 4.39 40 at the combine — in a 6-foot-3 frame.
ESPN’s Mina Kimes is a fan.
Isaiah Simmons is one of those swiss army knives that NFL defensive coordinators salivate over these days
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) December 29, 2019
Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller has an interesting comp for Simmons.
Isaiah Simmons No. 5 overall on my big board.
Comp: Godzilla
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) January 14, 2020
And another good one from Miller too.
Can I compare Isaiah Simmons to Zion Williamson?
Just too big, fast, smart and athletic for anyone to handle.
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) March 29, 2020
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Even Cardinals general manager Steve Keim shares a similar sentiment that it’s hard to find a comparison for Simmons.
“I tried to think over the years, a comp that I could use. Somebody that he reminded me of, and really, the only guy that I thought you could point to with similarities is a guy like Brian Urlacher when he came out,” Keim said.
One of the best linebackers in the last few decades isn’t too shabby, eh?
