Carolina Panthers: Three under-the-radar combine standouts team may draft

Isaiah Simmons, LB/S — Clemson

Quite possibly the player with the most eye-popping combine performance was Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons. While this list is supposed to be “under-the-radar” players, it’s fair to say that most teams haven’t given Simmons the respect he deserves. Tiger fans will tell you he’s the best player in this year’s draft, and after Saturday’s combine performance, they have a real case. The former college standout is one of the most versatile defenders in recent memory, and has elite potential as either a linebacker or safety at the NFL level.

With the Panthers yet to seriously target a Luke Kuechly replacement, Simmons could fill the future Hall-of-Famer’s shoes for the next decade. No linebacker ran a faster 40-yard dash than Simmons, and only two had a higher vertical jump. There’s no denying that the former Clemson star is a physical freak, and his status as a safety/linebacker hybrid makes him reminiscent of a young Thomas Davis–only better. Getting Simmons to fall all the way to the seventh pick will be a stretch; however, if Carolina can land the stud defender, the linebacker spot will be set for years to come.

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. Despite that, though, Simmons would be as good an add as the Panthers could possibly get, no matter how you look at it.