Is it Isaiah Simmons SZN for the Cleveland Browns?

The Cleveland Browns have no shortage of needs that need to be addressed either through the draft or free agency. Luckily for them, there is a plethora of talent available in both this offseason. Perhaps none are more talented than the do-it-all defensive dynamo from Clemson, Isaiah Simmons.

The Cleveland Browns and newly crowned general manager Andrew Berry have been busy leading up to the league new year. Berry has added impressive pieces on the offensive side of the ball by signing tight end Austin Hooper, tackle Jack Conklin, and backup quarterback Case Keenum. However, the defensive side off the ball has had talent subtracted from the roster, most notably veteran linebacker Christian Kirksey, who was released a week ago.

In addition to Kirksey, the Browns and linebacker Joe Schobert appeared to be unable to reach a deal to keep ‘The Scho’ in Cleveland. The only two linebackers left on the roster are second-year players Sione Takitaki and Mack Wilson. In addition to losing their veteran linebackers, the Browns don’t appear to be bringing back any of the safeties that were on the roster in 2019 outside of second-year player Sheldrick Redwine. A mass re-tooling of the defense appears to be in order.

Not that one player could solve all the issues the Browns currently have at linebacker and safety but…drafting Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons would go a long way. Simmons is a generational type athlete that has every tool that it takes to be wildly successful in the NFL: size, speed, power, athleticism, versatility, and instinct.

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There’s only one problem with Simmons. He will not be available when the Browns draft at No. 10 overall this April. If the Browns want a shot at the most talented defender in the draft, they’re going to have to give up some assets; be it draft picks or players or more than likely both. In this case, the juice is worth way more than the squeeze.

Simmons absolutely set the NFL Combine on fire when he blazed a 4.39 40-yard dash while also measuring at six-foot-four and weighing 239 lbs. Although do not be confused, Simmons is not just some workout warrior that dominated the underwear Olympics that they held in Indianapolis. His game tape matches every bit of athleticism he displayed in front of scouts and GM’s in late February.

Simmons’ ability to cover distance and close in on quarterbacks and ball carriers is something that almost doesn’t make sense when you see it. At his size, his closing speed is freakish, to say the least. It isn’t just all speed with Simmons, he more than possesses the ability to blow up lead blockers and help assist teammates with playmaking opportunities. In fact, many times during his redshirt junior year at Clemson, he would blow up the lead blocker and make the tackle himself.

Some experts and analysts were actually attempting to sell the idea that Simmons’ versatility should be seen as a negative, as he doesn’t squarely fit into just one positional group. However, the idea that Simmons should be considered a tweener is both laughable and without factual merit. His size and speed shouldn’t be held against him, and instead, it should be coveted. Simmons is a player that could change the dynamics of a defensive unit the moment he steps on the field.

Simmons’ natural playmaking instincts combined with his supreme athleticism are what separates him from the pack in this draft class. It isn’t far fetched to believe that Simmons could be a premier defender at the NFL level. In all actuality, it’s far fetched to believe that Simmons will not be a star in the NFL.

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The only real question is, are the Berry and the Browns willing to do what it will take to land the game-changing phenom from Clemson? Because if they are, they could be drafting the next NFL superstar.

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