Ebony Bird
FanSided

Baltimore Ravens trade-up candidate: Isaiah Simmons

By Michael Natelli

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 28: Isaiah Simmons #11 of the Clemson Tigers is congratulated by his teammates after an interception against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second half during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 28: Isaiah Simmons #11 of the Clemson Tigers is congratulated by his teammates after an interception against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second half during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 01: Isaiah Simmons #11 of the Clemson Tigers reacts against the Pittsburgh Panthers in the first quarter during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 1, 2018, in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 01: Isaiah Simmons #11 of the Clemson Tigers reacts against the Pittsburgh Panthers in the first quarter during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 1, 2018, in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

The Fit:

What makes Isaiah Simmons special is not just his talent in a traditional linebacker role, but also his elite prowess as both a pass rusher and cover safety in pass protection. While any defense would benefit from having such a player in the mix, few are as well-positioned to get the most out of Simmons’ abilities as crafty Ravens defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale.

More from Ebony Bird

The need at linebacker is obvious, but the Ravens also blitzed more than any team in football in 2019. While Baltimore figures to turn to more four-man rushes in 2020 after beefing up the defensive line with Calais Campbell and Derek Wolfe, Simmons could be lethal rushing the passer off the edge or up the middle behind the likes of Campbell, Wolfe, and others. And with the defending Super Bowl Champion Chiefs standing as Baltimore’s biggest challengers for the AFC Title next season, Simmons’ ability to match up with tight ends like Travis Kelce can go a long way towards clearing Baltimore’s path to a Super Bowl run.

Unlike teams sitting towards the top of the draft board, the Ravens roster is also deep and complete enough to make a heavier investment in a player like Isaiah Simmons. Simmons’ most common comp has been Jets safety Jamal Adams, who thrives playing up in the box and also in coverage. Adams was selected sixth overall by the Jets in 2017, and while he has certainly panned out as they’ve hoped, it has done very little to move the needle in the win column. Teams like the Colts and 49ers have shown that effective rebuilds start in the trenches, rather than at skill positions. And since it takes a substantial amount of picks to build out an offensive and defensive line, it could make a good deal of sense on both sides for the Ravens to move up into the top 10 picks and give a rebuilding team more picks to play with.

Home/Ravens Draft