Isaiah Simmons Fantasy Stats

Green Bay Packers linebacker Isaiah Simmons, the former eighth overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals in 2020, was shuffled among linebacker, safety and nickel defensive back with the Cardinals and New York Giants and never excelled at any of those positions. Part of the reason he signed with the Packers was their willingness to let him play exclusively at linebacker. ESPN's Rob Demovsky writes that Simmons has had the chance to line up with the starters at linebacker during the offseason program, despite the fact that Green Bay is deep at the position. "Honestly I feel like this is the most comfortable in a system I've been since I've been in the league," Simmons said. It's a notable development for the former Clemson start, but it won't guarantee a career turnaround, especially if he's not playing regularly. The 26-year-old had a career-low 21 tackles in 17 games (one start) with the Giants in 2024.

New York Giants free-agent linebacker Isaiah Simmons visited with the Green Bay Packers on Monday, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Simmons is an intriguing potential addition for the Packers after he played for the Giants the last two seasons. The 26-year-old was originally the eighth overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals in 2020 out of Clemson. Simmons came into the NFL as a hybrid linebacker/cornerback and has bounced around at corner and linebacker in his time with Arizona and New York. He wasn't as productive in his two years in the Big Apple, contributing 71 combined tackles (45 solo), one sack, one interception returned for a touchdown, five pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 34 games (five starts). Simmons could have a bigger role on defense when he latches on with a new team, but IDP fantasy managers will likely be avoiding him.

The New York Giants agreed to undisclosed terms to re-sign safety/linebacker Isaiah Simmons on Friday, pending a physical. The Giants acquired Simmons via trade from the Arizona Cardinals before the start of the 2023 season. In all 17 games last year with the G-Men, he started four games and recorded 50 tackles, a sack, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and an interception returned for a touchdown in Week 11. The former eighth overall pick by the Cardinals in 2020 out of Clemson has never missed a game in his NFL career to this point, appearing in 67 games in the regular season (41 starts). The 25-year-old isn't exactly an IDP fantasy asset, but he's extremely valuable to the Giants' defense because of his versatility and ability to move in and out as either a linebacker or safety.

The New York Giants acquired safety Isaiah Simmons from the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday in exchange for a seventh-round pick in the 2024 draft, according to a source. The Cardinals took Simmons eighth overall in the 2020 draft out of Clemson, and he recorded 258 tackles (181 solo), 7.5 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, 11 QB hits, four interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), 16 passes defensed, seven forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in his three years in the desert. The 25-year-old hybrid linebacker/safety was inconsistent against the run in his time with Arizona, and it remains to be seen how the Giants will use him on defense in 2023. There's no denying the athleticism, but Simmons will be off the fantasy radar for now in most IDP leagues.

After spending nearly half of his snaps last year as a defensive back, Arizona Cardinals safety Isaiah Simmons, the No. 8 overall pick in 2020, said that he'll be spending more time in 2023 in the secondary. Simmons played 48.6 percent of his snaps at cornerback and safety last year, but he also showed off his versatility by playing five different positions, including linebacker. His versatility is what made him attractive coming out of college, but Arizona's vision is to keep Simmons in one position this year. The 24-year-old's fifth-year option was declined and he's coming off a season in which he played 38.8% of his snaps as a slot corner. The expectation is that he'll spend a significant amount of time as the nickel corner in 2023 after starting six of the last eight games at defensive back last year. The trio of Simmons and safeties Budda Baker and Jalen Thompson will give the Cardinals one of the most dynamic and deep secondaries in the NFL.

The Arizona Cardinals opted not to pick up the fifth-year option for former No. 10 overall pick linebacker Isaiah Simmons by the deadline on Monday, according to sources. Simmons will now enter a contract year with a chance to make it count with a big season under new defensive-minded head coach Jonathan Gannon. Versatility is the 24-year-old's greatest asset, and he's expected to once again move around as a jack of all trades in Arizona's defense in 2023. The former eighth overall pick is coming off a 99-tackle (68 solo) season with a career-high four sacks, five tackles for loss, four QB hits, two interceptions (one returned for a TD), seven passes defensed, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 17 games (13 starts). Simmons could easily convince the Cards to keep him around beyond 2023 if he plays well in his fourth NFL campaign.

Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury said it's fair to assume that linebackers Isaiah Simmons (last year's first-round pick) and Zaven Collins (this year's first-rounder) will line up together as starters this season. It means that Jordan Hicks is the odd-man out, and it was reported this week that the organization has given Hicks permission to seek a trade. It doesn't mean that a trade will happen, but Hicks' role would be significantly downgraded if he were to remain with the Cardinals. Collins was taken 16th overall by Arizona in this year's draft and will give the team plenty of versatility as another defensive chess piece.

Arizona Cardinals rookie linebacker Isaiah Simmons has been eased into his responsibilities after being taken with the eighth overall pick in the draft, but he's about to see a much bigger role, and it could happen on Thursday night against the Seahawks. "He's been patient enough to wait his turn, but it's time," defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said. Linebacker De'Vondre Campbell (calf) will be a game-time decision this week, but Simmons figures to have a sizable role even if Campbell is active. If Campbell can't go, Simmons will have a full-time role for the first time in his career. The first-round rookie isn't relevant yet in IDP leagues, but he could get there before season's end if he ends up playing a full-time role. The Cardinals Defense isn't a safe play in a game that could easily wind up being a shootout again.

Arizona Cardinals first-round pick Isaiah Simmons played five positions at Clemson, but head coach Kliff Kingsbury wants to see how Simmons will do at just one position in the NFL. The Cardinals think "the sky is the limit" if the eighth overall pick in the draft can focus all of his efforts on learning just one position. The 2019 ACC Defensive Player of the Year and Butkus Award winner played 303 snaps at cornerback, 218 at safety, 160 at outside linebacker and 121 at inside linebacker last year. Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said that Simmons will primarily be a linebacker but will be used in various other roles, mainly to cover tight ends. General manager Steve Keim said Simmons has the ability to be a "Swiss Army knife" for this defense.

The Arizona Cardinals newest top draft pick, Isaiah Simmons, is expected to be a linebacker, according to defensive coordinator Vance Joseph. One of Simmons' main draws was his versatility, and his speed was regularly used at cornerback and safety at Clemson, but his presence in the middle of the field will be a huge upgrade for the Cardinals. Having to square off against a daunting NFC West lineup is never a good thing for a defensive unit, but Simmons has top-notch potential that could make him a game-changer against opposing tight ends.