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Isaiah Simmons a top Year 3 breakout candidate for 2022

alex sutton
·1 min read

The Arizona Cardinals used their No. 8 overall draft pick from the 2020 season on Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons, who was touted as a Pro Bowl talent at multiple positions.

Two years later, Simmons is poised for an increased role as one of the team’s standout defenders. While he didn’t play a ton in his rookie year, he was a starter for most of last season and again flashed his potential.

Pro Football Focus believes he will take another big leap in 2022, listing him as one of their top breakout candidates for this season. Here’s what they had to say:

Much was made of Simmons’ inability to see the field as a rookie, although to me that was overblown. Linebacker is the single most cerebrally demanding position on a defense. To add an entire new playbook on top of an entirely new position is a gargantuan ask for a rookie. So when Simmons didn’t look like Luke Kuechly early on in his career at a position he never played in college, many people freaked out. Now is the time to put up or shut up, though. He’s had a full season of playing time to digest what opposing offenses can throw his way. Now the flashes that we see of his position-changing athleticism can become the norm. After allowing fewer than 1.0 yard per coverage snap last season, Simmons should be able to play even faster in 2022.

Following the departure of Jordan Hicks to the Vikings in free agency, he and fellow young linebacker Zaven Collins are set to take over in the middle of the defense.

Simmons’ defensive flexibility has been useful to defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, as he’s spent time at inside linebacker, edge rusher and safety last season.

The former Tiger has shown his ability to be a Pro Bowl defender at inside linebacker. Fans should remember his game-winning interception on Russell Wilson in 2020 and his forced fumble on Dak Prescott last season.

For the Cardinals’ defense to take another step forward, so must Isaiah Simmons.

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