Trenton Simpson grew up idolizing former Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith. Now he’s wanting ahead to working alongside the All-Pro in Baltimore.
The Ravens used the No. 86 general decide within the NFL draft on the previous Clemson standout Friday night time, utilizing their second choice on a place most didn’t undertaking as an space of want. Whatever Simpson was missing within the eyes of the opposite 31 groups that triggered him to fall to the center of the third spherical, he definitely makes up for in confidence.
“I can fit in any scheme,” Simpson stated. “I’m the most versatile linebacker in this draft. Y’all are not going to regret this pick. I’m going to go down as one of the greats for the Baltimore Ravens.”
That’s a daring assertion contemplating the crew’s historical past on the place — Hall of Famer Ray Lewis, 2011 Defensive Player of the Year and two-time All-Pro Terrell Suggs and 1997 Defensive Rookie of the Year and four-time Pro Bowl choice Peter Boulware, to call a number of.
Then there’s Smith. He came visiting final season in a commerce with the Chicago Bears, who received the Ravens’ second-round decide this 12 months as a part of the deal. Between Chicago and Baltimore, he had 169 tackles, 103 of them solo, together with 11 tackles for loss and 4 1/2 sacks on his solution to being chosen for the Pro Bowl.
But Simpson has motive to be ok with becoming a member of a unit that additionally contains rising younger star Patrick Queen.
The 6-foot-2, 235-pound Simpson was ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr.’s prime obtainable participant on the board on the time the Ravens picked him and was broadly thought-about one of many prime inside linebackers within the draft, given his versatility and that he ran the 40-yard sprint in 4.43 seconds.
A former working again and a five-star recruit in highschool, Simpson — the No. 1 outdoors linebacker within the 2020 recruiting class — allowed simply 406 yards in his profession on 612 protection snaps in three years at Clemson, in accordance with Pro Football Focus. He was a hybrid defender for the Tigers, with coaches usually counting on his versatility through the use of him as a nickel on one play and an edge rusher the following.
Along the way in which, he racked up 87 tackles, together with 22 1/2 for loss, 12 1/2 sacks, six move breakups and three compelled fumbles over 37 video games (27 of them begins) at Clemson, the place he was a Butkus Award semifinalist final season after tying for third on the crew in tackles with 77, together with 4 for loss, in addition to garnering 2 1/2 sacks, three move breakups and two compelled fumbles in 616 snaps over 12 begins.
“He’s gonna help us a lot of different ways,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh stated. “I see him as a four-down linebacker eventually.”
What Simpson’s choice means for fellow Queen’s future, nonetheless, stays to be seen.
The Ravens have till Tuesday to determine on the 23-year-old’s fifth-year choice to hold him on the roster via 2024. Simpson and Queen are comparable gamers in some ways, and although Queen was one of many Ravens’ brilliant spots on protection final 12 months, posting a career-high 117 tackles, selecting up the choice would value $12.277 million, in accordance with Over The Cap.
Shortly after Simpson was drafted, Queen tweeted, “Sheesh.”
Ravens basic supervisor Eric DeCosta stated the crew is more likely to wait till the deadline to decide about Queen’s possibility.
“Patrick is, in my mind, one of the better [weak-side] linebackers in the league,” DeCosta stated. “I think he’s a Pro Bowl linebacker in the making. In Trenton, we get a guy who was honestly the very best player available.”
As for Simpson, DeCosta stated the Ravens had seven to eight gamers they had been contemplating within the third spherical, a spot many anticipated the Ravens to take a cornerback after selecting Boston College large receiver Zay Flowers at No. 22 general on Thursday. By the time their decide got here round, they had been down to 1 identify.
“You have to take the best player,” he stated. “That’s what we do.”
Added Ravens director of participant personnel Joe Hortiz: “When you put the film on, you watch him go from sideline to sideline. He can close ground very quickly in pursuit.”
Put one other approach, Simpson who’s somebody who ought to see taking part in time in a large number of roles for the Ravens, together with on particular groups.
“My strongest position is in the box,” Simpson stated. “I want to adapt to any scheme and just be a playmaker. That’s how I pride myself — making plays and being versatile.”
He additionally relishes the chance to be taught alongside two of the league’s finest in Smith and Queen, two gamers Simpson stated he’s watched highlights of.
“I love the way they play,” he stated. “They play like me. They play fast, physical football and they hit anything that’s moving. I’m excited to come in and bring my talents and learn from the vets.”
That Simpson was nonetheless obtainable to the Ravens the place he was drafted was one thing of a shock, he stated. It additionally served as a motivator in opposition to his critics.
“It was definitely longer than I expected, but this was well worth the wait,” Simpson stated. “To be a Baltimore Raven, to go in there with the guys you already have in the locker room and to add me and my mindset, we’re gonna be great. We’re gonna win some championships, definitely. I’m ready to work.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com