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Early in Steve Smith's career, he had a terrible preseason chock full of dropped passes
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Sam Mills Fan,
in Carolina Panthers
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By The Huddler · Posted
hes a scrub theres my analysis -
To understand why a player with all the tools to be successful in the NFL would bust is remarkably difficult. While Isaiah Simmons has had a disappointing career to this point, there is a reason he is back in Carolina. Yes, special teams are important and he does well in that role. My intent is to examine in what situations he has been successful and develop a theory about the reason he might have experienced success in some capacity vs. the times he has flopped. Is he a CB? A Safety? A LB? An Edge? No. He has been all of them at some point and has yet to settle into a position. I think the Panthers will do the same thing. I think I know (besides special teams) how they might use him effectively on defense. First, think of Simmons as a unicorn. Create a position that he does not have to fit into, but one that fits into his skill sets. I think we need to designate him as our Big Nickel, and then we need to modify that position into something of a rover, for lack of a better term. He is a hybrid--but lets not make him the hybrid, let's make the position the hybrid. Isaiah Simmons has been most effective in the NFL as a Big Nickel and on special teams, specifically in sub-packages where he can leverage his elite speed (4.39 40-yard dash) without the constant physical demands of a traditional linebacker. A big nickel is a third safety, designed to match up with the big TEs, basically, and provide better run support. Based on what I have read, Simmons is slowed when he has to know the Xs and Os and the position is focused on complex interpretations that may require adjustments in certain situations, etc. He excels in special teams, for example, because he is turned loose and he simple reacts to what he sees in front of him, it seems. I think the Panthers may create a big nickel role that turns him loose on defense. Simmons has been in the league for about 6 years and has been issued five playbooks. His position has shifted in an effort to find where he could best fit in. Getting back to basics, here is a chart that demonstrates how much more effective he was as a big nickel than a traditional LB, that required more reading blocking and run game schemes: Last season, Ransom was the big nickel, the Panthers are high on him and not looking to replace him by any means. It is my theory that Ransom will be used alongside Moehrig in some situations. He can also provide depth behind Moehrig. It is also my opinion that Simmons may not be the ideal fit for every situation involving the big nickel. Simmons could be used, for example, as a blitzing big nickel who can cover the flat and stuff the run, while Ransom may be the better lock-down TE coverage guy--I dunno. But I see Simmons playing a bigger role on D. Here is a comparison between Ransom and Simmons: Lathan Ransom: A 2025 fourth-round pick, he is viewed as a starter candidate to provide security opposite safety Tre'von Moehrig, with the Panthers high on his potential. Isaiah Simmons: Recently re-signed (March 2026), Simmons has thrived as a special teams ace but is considered a prime candidate to develop into a big nickel linebacker/safety hybrid due to his unique versatility. Context: The Panthers' defense under Ejiro Evero requires safety depth, and both players bring different strengths to that position group. Throw in Nick Scott, a pure free safety who just signed, it is starting to get a bit clearer. Does this mean we will not draft a S? Not at all. Who do we have to give depth at FS? Let's hope its Scott. It is my view that Simmons needs to find one or two things he does well on this defense and focus on that and not everything else. What are his natural talents (6'4" 238 and runs sub 4.4--who does that? Can you not make that work for you?) This tells me the problem is mental. Too many cooks in the kitchen. Instead of asking him to do everything behind the DL, let's get him to do one thing that aligns with his skill set and history of success. A situational big nickel/rover seems to be a fit. -
Who had us getting arguably the best receiver in the draft last April? Dan believes in sticking with his board. That's what the Panthers will do. It's that simple.
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