The 2020 NFL Combine continued their on-field drills on Saturday night, this time featuring interior defensive lineman, EDGE rushers, and linebackers. As always, the workouts begin with the 40-yard-dash, and when they shifted into position drills, we got to see a handful of new drills.
The Lions seem pretty content with their off-the-ball linebackers, but they’re always looking for upgrades and players that can contribute on special teams — which this group is full of. Let’s take a look at those who earned positive marks today.
Isaiah Simmons, Clemson
6-3.5, 238, 40 y/d: 4.39, Vertical: 39″, Broad: 11′
It doesn’t matter if you like him as a linebacker or a safety, Simmons is a playmaker who ran one 4.39 second 40-yards dash and then did a Deion Sanders-like walk off — and most could care less he didn’t do any on-field drills.
With the way the Lions deploy their linebackers, I still believe Simmons is best suited as a hang defender role — similar to Tavon Wilson’s role, taking snaps in the box, over the slot, at MIKE, and single-high safety — in the Lions scheme because it would allow him to operate with more freedom, at all levels of the defense and expand the secondary’s coverage exponentially.
The biggest obstacle I see with the Lions and Simmons potential marriage is that it goes against tradition for NFL teams to draft off-the-ball players early because of the value they get out of that position. Recently there has been a trend that has seen more off-the-ball prospects selected in the top-10, and Simmons is a special enough talent to keep the trend going, but I’m not sure the Lions are a team that would target him early.
Malik Harrison, Ohio State
6-2.5, 247, short shuttle: 4.32
Harrison, a more traditional style of linebacker for the Lions scheme, took advantage of a couple of key injuries to linebackers rated ahead of him and stole the show. Clearing the Lions’ benchmarks in both jumps and the short shuttle, Harrison is a perfect fit in the Lions scheme if they are looking for an upgrade on Day 2. With the Lions, Harrison would fit in as a WILL with potential to switch with the MIKE on any given play, and would be a nice complement to Jahlani Tavai as a potential starting pair down the road.
Willie Gay Jr., Mississippi State
6-1, 243, 40 y/d: 4.46, short shuttle: 4.3
Gay’s size, speed, and quickness were all on display at the Combine and if he had a clean off-the-field background — he was suspended for eight games last season — he would probably be much higher on the Lions draft board.
Notes:
- Kenneth Murray (6-2.5, 241, Oklahoma) ran a 4.52 40-yard dash on his first attempt but was injured in his second and unable to finish the day. The testing he was able to complete was all terrific.
- Casey Toohill (6-4.5, 250, Stanford) hit all the Lions athletic benchmarks, which could get him an undrafted free agent offer from Detroit.
