Why Isaiah Simmons could fall to the Raiders at No. 12 overall
By Brad Weiss
The Raiders need help at the linebacker position, and sitting at No. 12 overall, they could get the marquee player at the position in the 2020 NFL Draft.
The Raiders hold two first round picks in the 2020 NFL Draft, and like they did last year, they must bring in quality guys who can start right away. During the 2019 NFL Draft, the Raiders added a starting edge rusher, running back and safety, though Johnathan Abram was lost for the season after Week 1, and Clelin Ferrell took a bit to get going at the NFL level.
Their second of three first rounders, Josh Jacobs, made an immediate impact, and should go home with NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. In 2020, the Raiders hold the No. 12 and No. 19 overall picks, the 12th coming via their 7-9 season, and the 19th due to the fact they traded away Khalil Mack prior to the 2018 season.
Looking at the 2020 NFL Draft class, the Raiders have some players they must be targeting leading up their first season in Las Vegas. The most immediate needs are linebacker and wide receiver, and at No. 12 overall, they have a chance to get the best linebacker available, who happens to be one of the more versatile defensive players in the draft class.
At 12, Isaiah Simmons from Clemson is the player the Raiders should be coveting, as he is the kind of athletic linebacker that this defense is lacking. Simmons is an outstanding tackler, can come off the edge, and is solid in coverage, which was an area that opposing teams attacked the Raiders linebackers in 2019.
So how does Simmons fall to the Raiders at 12?