The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Simmons potential target for Browns
A devastating knee injury to one of the best players in the 2019 draft could ultimately work to the Browns favor. Jeffery Simmons, a 300-pound defensive tackle from Mississippi State, was projected as a top-15 pick before suffering a torn ACL while training in early February. The injury is expected to keep him out the entire 2019 season. So how can that work favorably for the Browns, who don’t have a first round pick and won’t choose until 49th overall if they don’t trade up in the three-day draft that begins April 25? A team is unlikely to spend a high pick on a player who won’t be able to play as a rookie. The more Simmons drops, the less the Browns would have to sacrifice in a trade to move back into the first round or earlier in the second to get him.
“He’s a phenomenal football player,” Browns general manager John Dorsey said on April 18 during a predraft press conference. “If he was there at 49, you may think about it. But you have to see what’s best for the organization. “You look at his ability to play the game of football. You sit and talk to your medical staff and see how long it will actually take with regards to his recovery of that injury. Then, you begin to digest the information you have and see is there enough factual information to make a prudent decision.” Dorsey and his staff do their own mock drafts, just as Mel Kiper, Todd McShay and other draft analysts do mock drafts. The purpose of the Dorsey mock draft is to predict who on their board might be available and what it might cost in trade to get a targeted player. “We do hypotheticals and then we’ll ask,’ OK, what happens if this player is here? What do you think about this? This? You know, you’ll move the draft board around and then eliminate some guys and then say, ‘How about if these three guys are here? And if we had to move up, what do you think would it cost?’ Little games like that.” The NFL.com scouting report on Simmons gushes about his athleticism, but he has a serious black mark on his resume’. He was caught on video repeatedly punching a woman when he was in high school. “Impressive physical specimen offering rare combination of strength and athleticism for future dominance in a variety of defensive schemes,” the scouting report said. “Simmons’ involvement in a fight between two women in 2016 will surely be a cause for concern. But his avoidance of trouble while at college should help his cause. His on-field issues are self-created and largely due to a lack of instincts, but the physical tools and immense upside outweigh those concerns. Simmons has All-Pro potential and should become an early starter and star.” The Browns are already giving a second chance to running back Kareem Hunt, who was released immediately by the Chiefs last Nov. 30 when a video surfaced of him shoving and kicking a woman. Dorsey said one situation has nothing to do with the other. “It’s a case-by-case basis, and I think you sit there and let’s understand everything involved here moving forward,” Dorsey said. “Jeffery came in for a visit. I had a chance to sit down with him, talk about the past and talk about the steps he’s taken at Mississippi State over the course of his career at the school. “What we’re going to do if there’s a possibility that he’s there (when the Browns pick), we’re going to sit and talk about it as an organization and make the best decision and make sure everybody is comfortable with that decision if it happens.” Simmons has had to explain what he did many times, most recently at the Mississippi State pro day last month. “It’s a mistake I made back in high school. I regret it up until this day,” Simmons told reporters. “But I’ve been honest about the situation. I tell (NFL teams) what happened, about the situation and how I grew from it.” Improving the defensive line has been a priority for Dorsey. The Browns traded for defensive end Olivier Vernon and signed defensive end Sheldon Richardson in the offseason.