Isaiah Simmons

Drafted eighth overall in 2020, Simmons has always seemed like a premium athlete without a real position in the Cardinals' defense. He's been listed as a linebacker the last two seasons, averaging 102 tackles with 5.5 total sacks and three interceptions, but new coach Jonathan Gannon intends to try him at nickel corner and have him focus on playing in the secondary. What impact that has on his production is anyone's guess, but Simmons is capable of posting solid numbers in any role given his speed and explosiveness.

A 2020 first-round pick of the Cardinals, Simmons worked his way into the rotation at inside linebacker as a rookie, finishing his first campaign with 54 tackles in 16 games. Last year, he started all 17 contests next to Jordan Hicks en route to 105 tackles, seven pass defenses, four forced fumbles, 1.5 sacks and one interception on a 92.6 percent snap share. With Hicks out of the picture, Simmons is a good bet to increase his production alongside 2021 first-rounder Zaven Collins in the middle of Arizona's defense.

Simmons is the biggest wild card among IDP linebackers, and thus carries more risk. The upside is the counterpoint: Simmons is a freak athlete and can do things few NFL players ever could. The reason he's risky is the Cardinals probably aren't sure how they will use him — Simmons is good at so many things he hasn't honed in on a regular role yet. When he saw the field as a rookie, though, he made plays at a rapid rate in all phase. If Simmons sees 1,000 snaps, he will pay off for IDP managers, regardless of how he splits snaps between linebacker, defensive end or cornerback..

Picked eighth overall by the Cardinals in the 2020 draft, Simmons reaches the pro ranks with no real weaknesses on his resume. Over the course of his collegiate career at Clemson, he made the move from safety to a combo nickel/strong-side linebacker role, compiling 253 tackles (28.5 for loss), 10.5 sacks, 22 passes defended, four interceptions (one pick-six), five forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in 44 games. Such varied production is tantalizing on its face, and Simmons is expected to slot in as a linebacker in Arizona's base defense. Still, his do-it-all skill set forecasts a gig in which he'll act as a run defender, nickelback or safety on any given play. Simmons may have to contend with De'Vondre Campbell and Jalen Thompson for snaps, though, so it remains to be seen what kind of IDP impact he can make as a rookie.