With the NFL trade deadline now passed, the Oakland Raiders will have to wait until the offseason to find a long-term solution at linebacker. Luckily for them, they will have plenty of chances and players to evaluate that could fill that need.
One such player is Isaiah Simmons of the Clemson Tigers, who is shooting up draft boards after a strong 2019 season. Through eight games, Simmons has 64 total tackles along with 11.5 tackles for a loss and six sacks. He’s one of the most athletic linebackers in the country and should be a lock to go inside of the top-20 picks in April.
In the latest mock draft by Luke Easterling of the Draft Wire, Simmons was one of the picks for the Raiders in the first round. Take a look at why Easterling believes he would be a home-run pick for Oakland in the first round:
This defense needs a difference-maker in the middle who can set the tone for the entire unit, and Simmons is the perfect fit. While some may view him as a ‘tweener, Simmons is an athletic playmaker who can transform an entire defense, no matter where you line him up.
Simmons would be a fantastic pick for the Raiders as he can play all three linebacker spots in Paul Guenther’s defense and can cover tight ends if needed. Look for Simmons to be on the shortlist of players the team considers in April’s draft.
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