Cardinals’ Isaiah Simmons Making Move From LB To DB

When he was drafted as a top-ten pick in 2020, Cardinals defender Isaiah Simmons was lauded as a Swiss Army knife that could play all over the field. Despite being labeled a linebacker by the Cardinals over his first three seasons, he’s been utilized quite a bit in the secondary. Earlier this week, though, Simmons announced that, this year, he has solely been working with the defensive backs, and he will continue to do so moving forward, according to Cardinals staff writer Darren Urban.

After making the opposite switch from safety to linebacker in his senior year at Clemson, Simmons displayed proficiency all over the field with a stat line that included over 100 total tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks, three interceptions, eight passes defensed, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. He hasn’t found quite the same success in Arizona but has shown a similar versatility.

Simmons had his best year in 2022, according to grades done by Pro Football Focus (subscription required). For the first time in his career, he spent a majority of his snaps aligned in the secondary. He spent 45 percent of his snaps aligned in the slot, 33 percent at linebacker, 12 percent on the defensive line, as well as a few snaps at safety and outside cornerback. As a result, Simmons returned his career-best grades in coverage and pass rush.

New head coach Jonathan Gannon scouted Simmons when he was the defensive backs coach in Indianapolis and admits that he had a vision for Simmons at the time. This, combined with the success Simmons found in the slot last season, is perhaps the biggest reason for the official position change.

Regardless, Simmons has committed himself to a dedicated position, claiming he’d prefer “to master defensive back first” before any potential work back at outside linebacker. This new change could end up being quite profitable for Simmons, as well. After his fifth-year option was declined by Arizona back in May, Simmons is headed into a contract year. If he continues to breakout in the secondary, this move could result in a large payday in the coming offseason.