Tennessee Titans defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons made a large leap in his third season and emerged as probably the greatest inside defensive linemen within the NFL.
Simmons was an absolute menace upfront, posting a career-best 8.5 sacks. Even when he wasn’t taking down the quarterback, the eye Simmons drew and the disruption he triggered opened issues up for the remainder of his teammates.
The Mississippi State product then adopted up an ideal common season with a monster three-sack efficiency within the playoff loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Whereas Simmons was snubbed within the Professional Bowl vote (he did ultimately make it as a alternative), his friends have considerably righted that incorrect by itemizing him as probably the greatest inside defensive linemen within the NFL.
In a ballot of gamers, coaches and executives completed by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Simmons ended up because the No. 2 inside defensive lineman within the NFL, falling behind solely the Los Angeles Rams’ Aaron Donald.
Right here’s the write-up on Simmons from ESPN:
In final 12 months’s rating, a normal supervisor stated Simmons could be the closest factor to Donald so far as NFL defensive tackles go. Nobody is near Donald, to make sure. However so far as game-wreckers, Simmons exploded onto the scene in his third season.
“Probably the greatest defenders in soccer,” an NFL scouting director stated. “Proper behind Donald so far as tackles. He’s the scary man you don’t wish to see.”
In 2021, Simmons produced 8.5 sacks whereas recording the very best run cease win fee on this checklist (38.4%, twentieth within the NFL).
“Recreation-wrecker,” an AFC scout stated. “Can play 3-technique or nostril deal with, excessive motor, bodily, distinctive mix of get-off quickness and energy, impacts the sport in each phases. One other man it’s a must to know the place he’s always.”
Some evaluators argue he’s not as pure a pass-rusher as among the others listed right here. However that’s nit-picking. His presence and energy trigger disruption.
This can be a four-spot soar for Simmons, who landed at No. 6 in final 12 months’s ballot.
Whereas lots of consideration is on Simmons’ capacity as a pass-rusher, he was additionally nice in opposition to the run, as evidenced by his 38.4-percent run cease win fee, which was one of the best mark on the checklist.
Simmons nonetheless has yet one more 12 months left on his rookie deal in 2023 because of the fifth-year choice, however Tennessee could be clever to get one thing completed with him sooner fairly than later, as Simmons’ price ticket will solely go up the longer they wait.