A Look at the Former Top 10 Pick's Potential in Green Bay
When it comes to free agency, the Packers are usually pretty quiet after the draft, at least outside of picking up a handful of undrafted free agents. However, this year they made a bit of a splash by signing a name some fans might not have heard in a while: linebacker Isaiah Simmons. Once a top prospect and the eighth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Simmons was regularly featured in early mock drafts and hyped as a do-it-all defender. While his NFL journey hasn’t quite lived up to the lofty expectations, he’s far from a lost cause.
Simmons was a top 10 pick for a reason, and his performance at the NFL Scouting Combine caught the attention of scouts across the league. He ran a four-point-three-nine-second 40-yard dash, recorded a 39-inch vertical, an 11-foot broad jump, and a one-point-five-one-second 10-yard split, all of which highlighted his rare athleticism for a linebacker. That impressive showing helped him land with the Arizona Cardinals, where he made an early impact with 54 tackles, two sacks, an interception, and a forced fumble in his rookie season. By 2021, he had earned a full-time starting role and delivered a career-high 105 tackles over 17 games. While his performance has varied at times, his talent, versatility, and physical tools are clear. Over five seasons, he has produced 21 pass breakups, nine forced fumbles, five interceptions, eight and a half sacks, and 15 tackles for loss. If there’s a coach who can tap into that potential and help him thrive, it’s defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley.
Injuries and availability are often reasons why the Packers let good players walk. That’s not the case with Isaiah Simmons, who has been one of the most dependable players in terms of staying on the field. He’s played in 85 straight NFL games, including the postseason, without missing a single one. Even back in college at Clemson, he stayed healthy and available, suiting up for 129 consecutive games. That kind of consistency is hard to ignore.
The Packers aren’t tied to Simmons long-term, and bringing him in didn’t break the bank. Just because he was a top 10 pick doesn’t mean the coaching staff is going to hand him a roster spot, as he will still need to earn it. He’ll be competing like everyone else, and nothing is guaranteed. That said, his athleticism and versatility could be a strong match for Jeff Hafley’s aggressive defensive approach. He also has the ability to contribute on special teams, giving Rich Bisaccia another flexible option to work with.
