Mel Kiper calls this former Clemson star the most NFL-ready draft prospect
Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons isn’t likely to be the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft — that honor is expected to go to LSU quarterback Joe Burrow. But ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. does believe Simmons is the most NFL-ready player available.
Kiper spoke with the media during a teleconference earlier this week and said Simmons’ versatility has him ready to excel at the next level.
Kiper predicted Simmons will go No. 4 overall to the New York Giants in his latest mock draft. He has Burrow going No. 1 overall to the Bengals, followed by Ohio State’s Chase Young to the Redskins and his former teammate Jeff Okudah to the Lions.
Simmons is listed as a linebacker, but he lined up all over the field for the Tigers in 2019, playing linebacker, safety and even rushing the passer. He led Clemson with 107 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and eight sacks last season.
“Certainly I think Isaiah Simmons, with the versatility he has, would be No. 1 guy on that list,” Kiper said. “He can run, he can cover. He covers like a safety, corner. He can get after the quarterback. I think he would be the one guy you would just highlight because he’s so versatile. I think he would be the most so-called NFL-ready player.”
Kiper also spoke about Clemson receiver Tee Higgins, who he has going No. 19 overall to the Raiders in his latest mock draft.
Kiper believes Higgins helped himself at Clemson’s pro day, where he ran the 40-yard dash at 4.54 and 4.56. At 6-foot-4, 216 pounds, the time was a solid one for Higgins.
Kiper has Higgins in a group with Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy, Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb and Alabama’s Henry Ruggs as the top four receivers in the draft.
“Tee Higgins I would put in that group as well, to an extent. He ran pretty good at his pro day. It was one of the last pro days that happened,” Kiper said. “Obviously you would have liked to see him be a little more physical in those final two playoff games, but Higgins is probably right now to me at 4 (as far as receivers).”
Higgins caught 59 passes for 1,167 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2019. He also had one carry for 36 yards and a score.
This story was originally published March 28, 2020 at 7:15 AM with the headline "Mel Kiper calls this former Clemson star the most NFL-ready draft prospect."
