Who is John Simpson and how does he fit with the Las Vegas Raiders
By Evan Groat
Who is John Simpson?
John Simpson is a big man, standing tall at 6-foot-4 inches and weighing in at 321 pounds. Simpson was a two-year starter for the Clemson Tigers, starting 29 of his final 30 games, including two appearances in the CFP National Championship game.
Meeting the necessary prerequisites to be drafted by Mike Mayock, Simpson is a blue collar worker, with zero character issues, and has the leadership qualities the Raiders want in their locker room. In 2019, he was voted a team captain by his peers at Clemson.
Simpson has wide shoulders and a big base, made to drive people off their spot in the run game. For a guy who weighs 321, he moves quite well, he can help in the pull game, and will not be a liability in pass protection.
As a pass blocker Simpson has been very reliable and consistent.
Like his former teammates drafted to the Raiders before him he possess a winning pedigree and has been coached up by some of the best in the business at Clemson. It’s yet to be seen what the Raiders will decide to do with Gabe Jackson but if they decide to cut him and save cap space, Simpson could challenge Denzelle Good for a starting job at right guard.