The Arizona Cardinals had options aplenty when they selected eighth in the 2020 NFL Draft. They ultimately chose to snag Isaiah Simmons, a linebacker/safety hybrid out of Clemson, who now per Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, has one of the best chances to win the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award.
While Zierlein notes Simmons among an impressive collection of potential impact rookies, Simmons is even higher on some boards when it comes to his odds.
Per Bovada Sportsbook, Simmons has the second-best odds to take home the trophy at +500. Only Redskins rookie defensive end Chase Young (who Zierlein similarly notes as his top choice) is ahead at +200.
Coming off having been named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year while also having unanimous All-American honors bestowed, Simmons enters his rookie season with a sizable role for a defensive unit that could use an impact star. Last season, the Cardinals yielded 442 points, far and away the most of any NFC West team.
Simmons' path to Defensive Rookie of the Year honors would obviously involve staying healthy, but also likely making an impact at multiple positions. With candidates such as Young on the board, Simmons' positional flexibility could wind up being his greatest asset. Darius Leonard of the Colts is the most recent linebacker to win the honors, which came in 2018.
Projected to start at one of the inside linebacker spots inside the Cardinals' 3-4 defense, Simmons is set to make his regular season debut Sept. 13 against the 49ers.
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