Las Vegas Raiders Draft: 5 Defensive Winners from the 2020 NFL Combine
By Matt Holder
![GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 28: Isaiah Simmons #11 of the Clemson Tigers is congratulated by his teammates after an interception against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second half during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 28: Isaiah Simmons #11 of the Clemson Tigers is congratulated by his teammates after an interception against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second half during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fjustblogbaby-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2018-2F08-2F1196440708-850x560-6a66eef3abf982baf5d63d6cfc267ecc04f152b4f47f85d9d548c6c4e79033b4.jpg)
Isaiah Simmons
Truth be told, Isaiah Simmons has been “winning” for quite some time now. He was arguably the best player on one of the best teams in college football and has been in the conversation for the Draft’s top defensive prospect. Despite all that, Simmons still managed to help elevate his stock at the Combine.
The versatile defender clocked a 4.39-second 40-yard dash time, which was the fastest time by a linebacker this year and one-hundredth of a second slower than the record set by Shaquem Griffin a year ago.
Additionally, he recorded the third-highest vertical jump (39 inches) and the second-longest broad jump (132 inches) for the position group. After a performance like that, the athletic freak is making a strong case to be the first or second defensive player off the board.
One could argue that Las Vegas is somewhat of a loser with Simmon’s performance. Before this weekend, not many, but some mock drafts had the Silver and Black getting lucky by having the Clemson product fell into their laps at pick 12.
Now, the organization will likely need to trade up to get the linebacker, but he might just be worth it.