The plan entering this coming season is to have Isaiah Simmons take a larger role at linebacker. This is to be expected with Jordan Hicks leaving and Zaven Collins stepping into the starting lineup.
However, Simmons has been doing a lot of practicing with the Cardinals’ safeties.
Simmons worked with the safeties in positional drills in minicamp at least one day.
Now in the weeks leading up to training camp, Simmons continues to do defensive back drills.
He was with Cardinals safeties Budda Baker and Deionte Thompson, working with former NFL safety Ryan Clark.
Played with two of the best in the game in my career. Glad to keep it going. Working with one of the best doing it. @buddabaker32 let’s get it! https://t.co/L0yjlGdlQX
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) July 18, 2022
As he’s done since OTA’s LB Isaiah Simmons has been training with the DB’s all off-season, here he’s training with DB specialist Ryan Clark, Landon Collins, and teammates Budda Baker and Deionte Thompson. Maybe we’ll see a more versatile role from him this season👀
Via @D1_Zoo IG pic.twitter.com/AmiTzOFmrh— CardinalsUpdate (@updatecardinals) July 19, 2022
What does this work mean for Simmons? Is he going to have a larger role at safety this season?
Not necessarily.
Simmons’ versatility will be used once again this coming season. He will be a linebacker but sometimes drop back in a safety role. He will sometimes rush the passer off the edge.
It is also possible that he will play safety in certain defensive packages.
One potential scenario could be due to the Cardinals’ lack of depth at cornerback. Rather than having a third cornerback come on the field when opponents go with three receivers, Byron Murphy and Marco Wilson could stay outside and safety Jalen Thompson could come down and play in the slot. Simmons could move back to JT’s spot at safety with Budda Baker and new addition Mike Vigil could come in at linebacker.
But even if Simmons is only going to have a few snaps a game at safety, it is still a good idea for him to keep sharp with defensive back skills.
Fans can get their first look at what the Cardinals might do defensively in training camp at the end of next week.
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