NFL Mock Draft 2020: Way-too-early look at projected first round

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
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. S. Clemson. Isaiah Simmons. 17. player. 123

Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons is one of the most intriguing prospects for the 2020 draft. He’s an outstanding athlete and player, but what position does he play at the next level? He’s listed as a safety, but he spent a good portion of last season playing a hybrid linebacker role in Brent Venables’s defense.

At 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, Simmons might have grown out of a traditional safety role, but he might be perfect for a nickel/hybrid defensive role in the NFL. He still has excellent speed and range to move across the field.

He’s a physical player who is a sure tackler. He’s delivered some thunderous hits from the Clemson secondary, and it’ll be interesting to see how he’s utilized next season. He’s one of the most talented players in the country, and with the Tigers losing a lot of quality defenders, a lot more will be put on his plate next season.

Dallas has long been looking for a high impact safety – they were linked to Earl Thomas before he signed with Baltimore. It’s a bit of a surprise they didn’t grab a safety in this year’s draft until the sixth round.

If they want a more traditional safety, then they might look at Alabama’s Xavier McKinney, but if they are looking at the best overall player at this point in the draft, it might be tough to argue that it isn’t Simmons here.