2020 NFL Mock Draft: First round projections after Week 1
Pick Analysis. LB. Clemson. Scouting Report. Isaiah Simmons. 28. player. 28
This pick belongs to the Raiders thanks to the Bears trading for Khalil Mack. It’s a bonus at this point. The Mack days in Oakland/Las Vegas are long gone and the Raiders aren’t going to get anything comparable back in return. But they can try.
Last year the Raiders took Clelin Ferrell fourth overall from Clemson. He was considered a reach at the time, although still a great prospect. The Raiders clearly saw something they liked in the former Clemson Tiger. I think grabbing yet another Tiger here would be a wise move and one the Raiders are comfortable with if Ferrell pans out.
Isaiah Simmons is an athletic freak who is kind of position-less in today’s league. But that’s not a bad thing. He has experience playing linebacker and safety at Clemson, which gives the Raiders options for how to use him. It will also keep Simmons on the field a lot since he can play the run and pass while lined up pretty much anywhere.
His technical skills are a bit raw, but honestly, who cares? Take the playmaker and plug him into a defense that really needs a jolt. The Raiders need players like this to get that culture back of being one of the toughest teams in the league.