The Tennessee Titans have a slew of players on their roster who could make the Pro Bowl in 2021, and included on that list is defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons, who has yet to earn a Pro Bowl nod in his career.
Sports Illustrated’s Connor Orr agrees with the sentiment that Simmons could be a Pro Bowler, as he listed the Mississippi State product among the players who he believes could make their first Pro Bowl this coming campaign.
Simmons had 14 quarterback hits and five pass breakups in addition to three sacks and three fumble recoveries in 2020. Most incredibly, Simmons was among the league leaders in net yards over average against the run, which, when accounting for snap percentages and actual time on the field, was astounding. None of the three players who finished in front of him played anywhere close to 75% of their teams snaps, yet Simmons held a -0.71 yards average over the course of almost 900 snaps. So, the Titans could count on a run against them going for almost a yard less when Simmons was on the field.
Simmons took another step in the right direction in 2020 and showed flashes of being an elite player, but he was also held back a bit because of the extra attention he received from opposing offenses.
That issue should be alleviated at least somewhat in 2021 now that Simmons has more help around him in defensive lineman Denico Autry and outside linebacker Bud Dupree, both of whom were signed in free agency.
If those players can indeed help take pressure off Simmons, he could really be unleashed and transition into the top-notch interior defender the Titans believe he can be.
But that isn’t the only reason to be excited about Simmons’ prospects in his third season.
Simmons will have his first normal offseason since entering the league after he had to rehab a torn ACL in 2019 and had his 2020 offseason abbreviated due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The former first-round pick also recently revealed that he has changed his diet and that he’s in the best shape of his young career, both mentally and physically. The league better watch out for Big Jeff in 2021.
