Pat Sims: Unheralded Anchor of Oakland Raiders New Defensive Line

Sep 23, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive Pat Sims (90) after the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 37-21. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

I’m a big fan of the big man Pat Sims.

At 6’2 310lbs, Sims has become the anchor of a newly designed Defensive Line in Oakland. A stout run stuffer, Sims has branched out his game and in my opinion is one of the most underrated Defensive Tackles in the game.

Sims signed with the Raiders last year, after being a crucial back up in Cincinnati and considered an under achieving DT despite tremendous talent.  Sims went on to have a career year with the Raiders playing all 16 games and playing a career high 693 snaps.

According to Pro Football Focus, Sims rated as the 18th best DT in 2013 with a positive 8.1 rating overall, being equally stout against the run 4.6 and pass 3.4.

In April of this year Bleacher Reports Matt Miller rated Sims #15 in his Top 50 Defensive Tackles list. That’s ahead of guys like Haloti Ngata, Phil Taylor, Lival Joseph, and Kevin Williams.

That is Big Praise, with stats to back up the hype.

After testing the free agent market, Sims re-signed with the Raiders on another 1 year contract worth 1.45 million. Sims is the only starter to remain from 2013, after Vance Walker, Lamar Houston, and Jason Hunter were not re-signed in the offseason by the Raiders.

I expected Sims to sign a huge deal with another team this past offseason, but run-stuffing DT’s are not exactly of high value in the current pass heavy NFL. Still the Raiders are glad to have Sims back, and another exceptional year could lead to long-term contract in the end.

Sims a 3rd round selection out of Auburn by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2008 NFL Draft,  has found a new home in Oakland.

Reggie McKenzie and his staff deserve credit for finding talented and underrated players like Pat Sims in free agency. Sims is a low-cost starter, whose impact is evident on nearly every play.

What is next for Pat Sims is more consistency and dominance in the Silver and Black. Sims showed flashes last year, but now has to make his presence felt game in and game out.