2. LB Isaiah Simmons, Clemson
If we’re talking best player available, we’re talking Isaiah Simmons. This is absolutely my “if I was GM” pick. The need for another linebacker also increased with the release of Thomas Davis.
It’s almost unfair to call Simmons a linebacker. He’s an athletic freak who’s found a way to be a linebacker, safety, cornerback, and defensive line hybrid. Of his 700+ snaps in 2019, Simmons played at least 100+ snaps each at deep safety, slot cornerback, defensive line, and in the box.
Thinking about his fit with Derwin James is another reason fans should be excited. Having not just one but two do-it-all talents on defense who swarm around the ball could really open things up. Having both of them in coverage would be almost unfair for opposing offenses.
The Los Angeles Chargers need to go younger when it comes to linebacker, which is part of the reason they released Davis. Pairing Simmons with Kyzir White and Drue Tranquill would certainly fit the idea of going younger and faster.
It’s not crazy to make the assertion that Simmons is the best player in the draft altogether. It’s probably a debate between him, Jeffrey Okudah, and Chase Young. He’s a physical specimen with blazing speed, as his combine showed. A 4.39 40-yard dash is a wide receiver time, and he’s a 6’4″ 240-pound linebacker.
He’s the best player available and Telesco has taken the best player available over a need before. It wouldn’t surprise me if he ends up being the pick to take the defense to the next level, but there’s one player that seems more likely, as of now.