Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson is very optimistic about what the team can achieve in 2020. He is excited to see what first-round pick Isaiah Simmons can add to the defense.
Peterson believes Simmons will be great even as a rookie playing as the team’s “Mo” linebacker.
What sort of role will he have?
“(He will) kind of be like a Budda (Baker),” Peterson told reporters in a vide conference. “A blitzer all the time, covering those tight ends, and now having that versatility, size, speed and strength that he brings to the table to help us with those Kittles (and other tight ends in the division).”
While Simmons also played some in the slot against opposing receivers in college at Clemson, Peterson doesn’t think he necessarily will do that.
“Here, slot receivers are a little better than at the college level,” he said. Plus, he expects Byron Murphy to be the nickel back “nine times out of 10.”
That said, Peterson believes Simmons “is a transcending type of football player.”
“You just don’t see that kind of talent.”
Head coach Kliff Kingsbury has said that Simmons will play only linebacker but will have a number of roles within that position.
He had to learn multiple assignments for multiple positions in college and did it well. Peterson believes limiting his position will help Simmons thrive.
“He’s going to have a big year for us this year because he’s going to be so free,” he said. “In this position, he’s not going to have to think much.”
His assignment will be “see ball, get ball, see tight end, cover tight end.”
“It should be a big year for him, looking for nothing but big plays from him,” he said. “Hopefully, he can win Defensive Rookie of the Year.”
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