The Tennessee Titans picked perhaps the best value in the draft with their first-round selection, Mississippi State defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons.
According to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, multiple teams had Simmons as a top-5 talent while others graded him out as the best player in the draft.
Multiple teams viewed new Titans’ DT Jeffrey Simmons as a top-5 pick, even though he went at No. 19. One even called him “the best player in this draft.” Of course there are well-documented disturbing issues with him.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 26, 2019
The team may have to wait a little bit to see the selection fully pay off due to Simmons suffering an ACL tear while preparing for the combine. In the long run, though, the Titans think he’ll be a big difference-maker for years to come.
“He’s a guy we did extensive research on, and he is going to come in here and get to work and help this football team,” Titans General Manager Jon Robinson said of Simmons via the team's official website. “I’m just really excited about the ability that he has. He has really good quickness, can really run for a big man. He is explosive, changes direction well. He finishes plays, and he is an aggressive player.
“We’re super-stoked to have him on the football team.”
Simmons, after racking up 157 tackles, seven sacks, four forced fumbles and six passes defensed in three seasons at Mississippi State, began the offseason as a potential top-10 pick. The injury, though, paired with an off-field incident Simmons was involved in back in high school, led the Titans and other NFL teams to do extra homework on the big defensive lineman.
The Titans said they did extensive research on Simmons, and after spending time with him, felt confident in picking him.
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