2020 NFL Draft: Detroit Lions mock draft with Isaiah Simmons on top

I’ve seen a number of Detroit Lions fans on Twitter talking about the fact (or assumption) that Isaiah Simmons is not a fit for what the team is trying to do defensively, so obviously I’m being a bit defiant of that here.

Part of what I want to do with these mock drafts is get a pulse for each fan base before making them, not to just pick players the fans for each team want personally, but to understand what players may or may not be fits for specific teams since I’m not a Lions beat reporter.

With that said, if Isaiah Simmons doesn’t fit your defense, your defensive coordinator is one of two things.

A. Not creative, or;

B. Not as smart as he thinks he is

Simply put, Isaiah Simmons is one of the best defensive weapons in college football right now, and his 2019 season is only being overshadowed by the giant that is Chase Young at Ohio State.

Because of positional value, cornerback Jeffrey Okudah will go higher, and probably defensive lineman Derrick Brown. But aside from those guys, no one is going to be more coveted by next April than Simmons.

This guy is 6-foot-4, 230 pounds, and can run as fast as some of the fastest running backs in the class. He’s so physical, and his play speed is ridiculous. He can cover, he can blitz, he can play on the edge, and he can play in space.

He’s got great instincts and is truly a rare type of player who could be put at just about any position. As a matter of fact, Dabo Swinney has said in the past that Simmons could make All-ACC at three different positions in his defense.

Again, if Simmons doesn’t fit Matt Patricia’s defense, it might be time to change the defense.