Simmons is a very rare athlete

The impact that a player like Isaiah Simmons can make for an NFL team should not be understated. The team that selects him will have to determine this, but he projects as being a high-level option at primarily either the linebacker or safety role.

By running a 4.39 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, Simmons became the second linebacker to ever receive an official time under 4.40 for this drill. That’s incredible considering how Simmons was measured in at a height of 6’4″ (with cleats) at 238 pounds.

The explosiveness Simmons displayed in the athletic testing was truly impressive, too. He recorded a 39″ vertical jump and an 11″ broad jump, both of which ranked within the 90th percentile for a linebacker over the last decade.

Teams have managed to attack defenses increasingly well with tight ends as well as using receiving threats out of the backfield. Simmons has the physical intangibles and skills to shut either of those down, which would set the tone for the rest of the unit.