Detroit Lions 7-round 2020 NFL mock draft: Time for a new era?

Round 1, Pick 6: Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson

This selection is made with the assumption that the Lions are going to fire Patricia this offseason. He simply would not take a linebacker as small as Isaiah Simmons and that is a problem. If the Lions find some more open-minded decision-makers, Simmons could be exactly what they need.

At Clemson, Simmons has been a jack-of-all-trades on the defensive side of the ball. He plays off-ball linebacker, safety, edge rusher and slot cornerback for the Tigers. At the next level, Simmons is going to be some sort of linebacker/safety hybrid who fits the modern NFL extremely well. Most importantly, he is going to be a dynamic defensive playmaker.

Simmons is a special kind of athlete for a defensive player. Most guys who are 6-foot-4 with big-time speed and athleticism end up playing offense. If he wanted to, Simmons could have been a fantastic tight end or wide receiver. Instead, he is a unique and special defensive player who has massive upside at the next level.

Simmons uses his speed extremely well to defend from sideline-to-sideline. He is also an impressive coverage player who can dominate tight ends and running backs in man-to-man coverage. Simmons’ combination of size, speed and athleticism make him an incredibly exciting defensive prospect who is a perfect fit for the modern game.

Whoever ends up making the decisions in Detroit should strongly consider Simmons with their early 2020 NFL draft pick.