2020 NFL Draft: Defensive superhero Isaiah Simmons to Arizona Cardinals

Isaiah Simmons is a Cardinal! The Arizona Cardinals take the defensive superhero with the eighth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

The Arizona Cardinals have made a massive splash in the 2020 NFL Draft and selected one of the most versatile players in the class. Isaiah Simmons the defensive superhero from Clemson is on his way to the desert. After drafting my CB1, Byron Murphy, in the 2nd round last year, the Cardinals draft a top-5 player on my board to patrol the defensive secondary with him.

At Clemson, Isaiah Simmons played a little bit of everything on defense. He had played the majority of his snaps at linebacker, but also lined up at strong and free safety, outside and slot corner, and even pass rusher; he won reps at every position.

His elite athleticism, matched with his advanced understanding of defensive tendencies will serve him well. Brent Venables is one of the best defensive minds in college football and he viewed Simmons as a true chess piece, a difference-maker on defense.

It would be in the Arizona Cardinals’ best interest to let Simmons learn the entire playbook and let him thrive by giving the opposing offense different looks with him all over the defense.

After testing out of this world at the combine, it was only a matter of time before he was drafted tonight. There were rumors he could slip, but it’s fitting that the young, innovative head coach Kliff Kingsbury wanted this type of player on his team.

After a tremendous season at Clemson, Isaiah Simmons carried his hype into the offseason and did everything he needed to in order to get drafted as high as he could. His elite tape, elite combine performance and humble demeanor were the correct strategy.

This is a slam-dunk pick for Steve Keim and Kingsbury in the 2020 NFL Draft, and their recent string of good moves lives on.

Celebrate, Cardinals fans; this is a good pick.