Carolina Panthers: Five draft targets in the CFP National Championship
By Luke Tucker
Isaiah Simmons, S – Clemson
Perhaps the best player on the field Monday night will be Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons. A junior safety/linebacker with Pro Bowl potential written all over him, he’s the top-rated safety in the 2020 draft according to CBS Sports, and is a projected top 10 pick. Simmons has been one of the most dominant defensive players in the nation this season, posting career highs in tackles, sacks, interceptions, and passes defensed.
Standing at a massive 6’4,” 230, Simmons is without a doubt one of the more dynamic athletes in college football. He’s listed as a safety by most draft sites; however he was the recipient of the 2019 Butkus Award, which is given annually to the nation’s top linebacker. With his size and elite physicality, Simmons may be best suited as a linebacker at the professional level, slotting into a role the Panthers could use some help in. As recent comments by new head coach Matt Rhule indicate that Carolina could revert to a 4-3 defense, Simmons could potentially follow in the footsteps of former Panther Thomas Davis, who also played safety in college before being converted to a linebacker in the NFL.
According to thedraftnetwork.com, Simmons is a complete NFL talent. He’s a good tackler, can get off blocks, and can line up all over the field. He’s a run-stuffing defender, has a quick first step, and is dominant in man coverage–even versus tight ends. Based on the scouting report, his only “weakness” is in zone defense. To add to that, simply due to his size he is sometimes outran and beat deep by smaller, speedier receivers. Ultimately, Simmons has the potential to be an elite defender in the NFL, and would be a huge addition to a Panthers defense that has struggled for most of the past two seasons.