Arizona Cardinals select Isaiah Simmons with the 8th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft

The Arizona Cardinals have selected Isaiah Simmons with the eighth pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Simmons is a special athlete with a different type of ability than most defensive prospects.

Simmons was used all over the field when he was with Clemson, playing snaps at linebacker, strong safety, free safety, edge rusher and cornerback.

In the NFL he profiles in a similar mold to that of All Pro strong safety Derwin James.

Simmons offers an uncanny ability to play downhill against the run and is one of the best coverage players in the draft, regardless of position.

Simmons progressed in his four years at Clemson. After redshirting as a true freshman, Simmons played the reserve strong safety role as a redshirt freshman.

In his junior season Clemson started to unleash Simmons and learn to utilize his unique talents. He played slot corner and safety and had great success. As a redshirt junior he became a star. A consensus All American and Butkus Award winner in 2019, Simmons found a role that few others could play. He became a Swiss Army Knife of the Tigers defense and was successful at every position.

When you see Simmons transition to the NFL it should be in a role similar to what Troy Polamalu did with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he was used in a plethora of roles. He has the ability to be a special player in the NFL if the Arizona Cardinals can use him in the right way they could have back-to-back Rookie of the Year winners.