Whatever Trent Simpson lacks within the eyes of 31 groups within the NFL that didn’t draft him, inflicting him to fall to the the third spherical of the draft on Friday evening, the 21-year-old definitely makes up for in confidence.
The Ravens chosen the Clemson inside linebacker with the 86th general decide. Afterward, he referred to as himself essentially the most versatile linebacker within the draft and predicted that he’s going to go down as a Ravens nice.
“I fit into every scheme and I’m the most versatile linebacker in this draft,” Simpson mentioned. “You’re all not going to regret this pick.”
The 6-foot-2, 235-pound Simpson, who was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, not less than has motive to be ok with becoming in with the one of many NFL’s greatest defenses.
Simpson, who was ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr.’s high out there participant on the board, was broadly thought-about one of many high inside linebackers within the draft, given his versatility and that he ran the 40-yard sprint in 4.43 seconds.
A former operating again and a five-star recruit in highschool — Simpson was the No. 1 exterior linebacker within the 2020 recruiting class — he allowed solely 406 yards in his profession on 612 protection snaps with the Tigers. He was a hybrid participant for Clemson, as coaches usually relied on his versatility through the use of him as a nickel on one play and an edge rusher the subsequent.
He additionally had 87 tackles, together with 22 1/2 for loss, 12 1/2 sacks, six go 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 workforce in tackles with 77, together with 4 for loss, in addition to garnering 2 1/2 sacks, three go breakups and two compelled fumbles in 616 snaps over 12 begins.
What Simpson’s choice means for fellow Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen’s future stays to be seen. The Ravens have till Tuesday to determine on Queen’s fifth-year possibility. Simpson and Queen are related gamers in some ways, and although Queen, 23, was one of many Ravens’ shiny spots on protection final 12 months, posting a career-high 117 tackles, choosing up the choice could be pricey at $12.277 million for 2024, in line with Over The Cap.
“Patrick is, in my mind, one of the better [weak-side] linebackers in the league,” normal supervisor Eric DeCosta mentioned. “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 mentioned the Ravens had seven to eight names they have been contemplating within the third spherical, a spot many anticipated the Ravens to take a cornerback after choosing Boston College huge receiver Zay Flowers at No. 22 general. By the time their decide got here round, they have been down to at least one.
“You have to take the best player,” he mentioned. “That’s what we do.”
In Simpson, the Ravens additionally get somebody who can play everywhere in the discipline, together with on particular groups.
“My strongest position is in the box,” Simpson mentioned. “I want to adapt to any scheme and just be a playmaker. That’s how I pride myself — making plays and being versatile.”
This story might be up to date.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com