Isaiah Simmons

Isaiah Simmons

25-Year-Old LinebackerLB
 Free Agent  
Free Agent
2023 Fantasy Outlook
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. Read Past Outlooks
RANKS
#Subscriber-Only
IDP
$Signed a four-year, $20.66 million contract with the Cardinals in July of 2020.
Limited to rotational role in 2023
LBNew York Giants
January 14, 2024
Simmons tallied 50 tackles (33 solo), including a sack, and added an interception that he returned for a touchdown over 17 games during the regular season.
ANALYSIS
Simmons joined the Giants via trade in August after having been a starter for the Cardinals each of the previous two seasons. With Micah McFadden working up to a full-time starting role in his sophomore campaign, Simmons was relegated to rotational work, and he consequently finished with career-low marks in defensive snaps, tackles and sacks. Simmons' strengths are versatility (he is also capable of playing in the secondary) and durability (he hasn't missed a game in four NFL seasons), but he's yet to fully live up to his potential. The Giants parted ways with Wink Martindale in January, and whether the team elects to try to bring back Simmons -- who is in unrestricted free agent -- may depend on the vision of the new defensive coordinator.
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NFL Stats
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2020
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2022 NFL Game Log
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2021 NFL Game Log
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2020 NFL Game Log
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2023 Isaiah Simmons Split Stats
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Measurables Review View College Player Page
How do Isaiah Simmons' measurables compare to other linebackers?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
Height
6' 4"
 
Weight
238 lbs
 
40-Yard Dash
4.39 sec
 
Vertical Jump
39.0 in
 
Broad Jump
132 in
 
Hand Length
9.63 in
 
Arm Length
33.38 in
 
Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Isaiah Simmons See More
NFL Free Agency: 2024 Free-Agent Tracker
46 days ago
Mario Puig's free-agent tracker will keep you updated on the latest offseason player movement.
Latest Fantasy Rumors
Chance to flourish in '23
LBArizona Cardinals
July 14, 2023
Doug Haller of The Athletic identifies Simmons as a 2023 breakout candidate under new Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon.
ANALYSIS
Simmons hasn't quite validated his status as the eighth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft over his first three seasons, although the 24-year-old's 258 tackles, 7.5 sacks, four interceptions, seven forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries thus far aren't poor numbers by any stretch. Nevertheless, Haller notes the constant shifting of Simmons between linebacker and safety under the Kliff Kingsbury regime did the talented hybrid player no favors, and the fact he's had a chance to concentrate solely on secondary duties this offseason in Gannon's new scheme may be just what fully unlocks the one-time Clemson standout's potential.
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2022
2021
2020
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.
More Fantasy News
Gets first sack of season in loss
LBNew York Giants
January 1, 2024
Simmons finished Sunday's 26-25 loss to the Rams with four tackles (three solo), including one sack.
ANALYSIS
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Will play Monday
LBNew York Giants
December 11, 2023
Simmons (ankle) is active for the Giants' game against the Packers on Monday, Dan Salomone of the team's official site reports.
ANALYSIS
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Clinches win with defensive TD
LBNew York Giants
November 19, 2023
Simmons recorded three tackles (all solo) and returned an interception 54 yards for a touchdown in Sunday's 31-19 Week 11 victory over the Commanders.
ANALYSIS
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Secures season-high nine stops
LBNew York Giants
October 9, 2023
Simmons posted nine tackles (seven solo) Sunday in a loss to Miami.
ANALYSIS
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One tackle in New York debut
LBNew York Giants
September 12, 2023
Simmons recorded a solo tackle in the Giants' 40-0 loss to the Cowboys on Sunday night.
ANALYSIS
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