Isaiah Simmons is still a free agent 6'4 240

[micnificent28]

Former first round bust is still floating around had a decent year with the giants and we literally have nothing behind Wallace and Jewell.. I would be open to taking a flyer on the guy what day you?

[LinvilleGorge]

Aaron Curry 2.0. Some guys check every box and still bust. Just a good reminder that there's no such thing as a sure thing in the draft.

[PanthersNCSU]

IIRC, it was basically down to him and DB in 2020. New regime and all, but I'd imagine us not showing interest yet means we're not interested. 

[countryboi]

I remember how upset everyone was that we didnt take Simmons, I think im good on him but he does give me a bit of pause on Walker

[*FreeFua*]

Just now, PanthersNCSU said:

IIRC, it was basically down to him and DB in 2020.

Nah Simmons wasn’t in play 

Henderson and Lamb were the other 2 very real possibilities 

I think they knew they’d have to jump the Chargers if they wanted Herbert

[MHS831]

Ironically, some said his position versatility in college might project to an inability to fit in at the next level--we compared him to Chinn, if you recall. Critics wondered if Simmons could focus on a specific position and if so, would he be a first round talent at that position?  The same is being said about Walker this year, fwiw.

So you have to ask, "Was his versatility the thing that made him a good/great college player, or was he elite at LB?" 

On the other hand, Jerry Hughes had 5 sacks in 3 seasons with the Colts and then went to Buffalo where he had 25 sacks over the next three seasons--

I would watch film and see if his skill set is what we are looking for at LB.  I am guessing that we have already done that.

[MHS831]

6 minutes ago, countryboi said:

I remember how upset everyone was that we didnt take Simmons, I think im good on him but he does give me a bit of pause on Walker

It is a good point.  Is Walker an early to mid first round LB?  Edge?  I would say no in both cases, but is he a top hybrid player?  yes.

[MHS831]

20 minutes ago, micnificent28 said:

Former first round bust is still floating around had a decent year with the giants and we literally have nothing behind Wallace and Jewell.. I would be open to taking a flyer on the guy what day you?

good thread--we need to bring this kind of opportunity to the surface.

[SOJA]

they are NOT 1 to 1 comparisons, but this is my hesitation with Jalon Walker. In the sense that if you view him as a tweener and not a full time edge you may end up with Isiah Simmons 2.0 

[SOJA]

37 minutes ago, countryboi said:

I remember how upset everyone was that we didnt take Simmons, I think im good on him but he does give me a bit of pause on Walker

I am going to hold on to this W bc at the time I voiced major concerns about Isiah Simmons and how he was a JOAT and master of none 

[Tr3ach]

34 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

It is a good point.  Is Walker an early to mid first round LB?  Edge?  I would say no in both cases, but is he a top hybrid player?  yes.

I agree.  I don't think he's quite a first round lb and all the edge love is based on projection and potential.

[theinstrumental]

As someone who was very loudly wrong about him before that draft: what I learned from his failure is the difference between violence and toughness.

Simmons will hit, but he doesn’t like collisions he’s not going to win. His career highlight is still blocking a kick and then walloping the defenseless kicker. But he won’t get downhill and splash a lead blocker in the hole as a box linebacker.

I could be wrong about him again, I guess. But I don’t see a role for him as a safety, and he’s not a nickel, and if he won’t/can’t do the linebacker stuff well, then I’m not sure what he’d do for us.

Of course, if we do sign him, I’ll talk myself into it immediately.

[CatalystNX]

3 hours ago, MHS831 said:

It is a good point.  Is Walker an early to mid first round LB?  Edge?  I would say no in both cases, but is he a top hybrid player?  yes.

I agree as a LB, but he probably still goes top-half of round 1 as a pure EDGE.

[MHS831]

2 hours ago, Tr3ach said:

I agree.  I don't think he's quite a first round lb and all the edge love is based on projection and potential.

I have been saying, You have to use him properly.  We have no evidence that Evero would--so the risk is a bit higher.  He is not going to dominate a position, but if you use his versatility to give him an unfair advantage (mismatches, element of surprise) that could make him good--which begs the question, could that not also apply to other players with similar skill sets who were not asked to be hybrids in college?  I love Walker the kid and would love to have him if he works out--I am just nervous about it.  Fair to him?  No, but people here who wanted Bryce said his height was not an issue and there is tape of him throwing from his toes--the NFL is a different game.