The Arizona Cardinals made Clemson Tiger star Isaiah Simmons the eighth overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. Simmons was described as a “positionless” player in the pre-draft process. Pro Football Focus recorded no majority position in his pre-snap alignments in his final year at Clemson.
The Cardinals planned for Simmons to be a tight-end “eraser.” Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph’s scheme has for years struggled to contain opposing tight ends. Simmons, the team projected, would play on the second level of the defense across from the tight end, his primary coverage assignment.
Unlike most top-ten picks, Simmons struggled to see the field as a rookie. His execution as a linebacker left much to be desired by his coaches.
...and knifes through here but comes up empty.
— Football Guy TRIdP (@DynastyTripp) August 15, 2021
And that's ok, right? Because the second LB comes from the back side to clean it -- errr -- nope.
WOOF, Isaiah Simmons. pic.twitter.com/5j4K9CynXl
He overcame this preseason performance to start and play full-time alongside middle linebacker Jordan Hicks throughout 2021, his second pro season. After a decent start to the season, the Cardinals’ defensive performance flagged badly down the stretch. They were easily eliminated by NFC West rival L.A. in the playoffs. Simmons’s pass coverage suffered with that of the team’s, and he generated little pressure in his opportunities as an edge rusher.
This summer, Vance Joseph and the Cardinals redefined Simmons’s position as “starbacker.” The role isn’t radically different in 2022 than in 2021; however, two key differences exist. First, he’s less likely to play on the edge, and second, he’s no longer playing full time. He is frequently the nickel defender in a defensive backfield that stars Budda Baker and Jalen Thompson at safety.
The Cardinals are following the league-wide trend in 2022 by relying more frequently on two high safeties versus last year when they predominantly alternated Baker and Thompson in deep centerfield. With two safeties deep, the defense needs more in run support from the nickel. At 6-foot-4 and 238 pounds with 4.39 speed, Simmons certainly looks the part of a formidable run defender in space.
No Slot Cornerback
Alas, Isaiah Simmons has not thrived in the Starbacker role either. Importantly, the Cardinals are not the only team redefining a role errantly known as “slot cornerback” in many forums.
The Buccaneers have moved star safety Antoine Winfield into the slot. He has already exceeded his career high in tackles for loss with five, matched his career high in sacks (3.0), and is on pace to match his career-high tackles total.
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