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Dallas Cowboys Draft: 5 First Round Picks to Watch

By Daniel Ruppert

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 22: Malcolm Smith #53 of the Dallas Cowboys reacts before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 22, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 22: Malcolm Smith #53 of the Dallas Cowboys reacts before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 22, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 29: Isaiah Simmons #11 of the Clemson Tigers reacts after a play in the first half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the College Football Playoff Semifinal Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 29: Isaiah Simmons #11 of the Clemson Tigers reacts after a play in the first half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the College Football Playoff Semifinal Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

Isaiah Simmons – Linebacker – Clemson

I know, another linebacker, but Simmons is such a talent that if he is available, you don’t pass on him. He is an outside linebacker that with Leighton VanDer Esch, Jaylon Smith, and himself could be a really fearsome linebacking corps. The range and speed of those three, if all playing to their top, would be an absolute problem for any offensive coordinator.

Adding Simmons might mean some adjustments on defense and positions for other players, but you don’t pass on a talent like Simmons if he is available. Simmons could also play some strong safety as well. He has the speed, agility, power, and range to do almost anything you ask of him. He is a solid blitzer, can cover sideline to sideline, and even cover some wide receivers and tight ends.

The issue is Simmons is kind of a plug-n-play guy in that he is a little bit safety, a little bit linebacker. His size is a bit of a tweener but looks like he might be able to add some size and be totally a linebacker. His angles can be a little weird at times. He is already a talented player that any team could use, and his ceiling is even higher. I would add some size and keep him at linebacker.

I would call Simmons a SAM linebacker, keep LVE at WILL, and Jaylon at MIKE. As long as you keep that alignment I think the trio could set the league on fire. If they start to move them around, I think you might lose something. Simmons talent is absolutely worth the pick, just need to coach to know everything he can do.

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