Draft Information by: Years, Teams, Positions

Jason Simmons (Arizona St.) - 1998 NFL Draft Pick #137 by PIT

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1998 NFL Draft Pre-Draft Analysis: Jason Simmons

Position: Safety
College: Arizona State University
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 200 lbs

Overview

Jason Simmons was a standout safety out of Arizona State, known for his aggressive playing style and impressive athleticism. During his college career, he showcased the ability to make plays both in coverage and against the run, making him a highly regarded prospect heading into the 1998 NFL Draft.

Strengths

• Versatile Skill Set: Simmons had the ability to play both safety positions and even cornerback, which increased his value to NFL teams.
• Physicality: He was known for his hard-hitting style, often intimidating receivers and running backs alike.
• Ball Skills: Demonstrated an ability to create turnovers, with a solid number of interceptions and pass deflections during his college career.
• Football IQ: Possessed a good understanding of defensive schemes and was able to read offenses well, allowing him to anticipate plays.

Areas for Improvement

• Consistency: While Simmons had moments of brilliance, he sometimes struggled with consistency in his play, particularly in coverage against quicker receivers.
• Injury History: There were concerns about his durability, as injuries had sidelined him at various points in his college career.
• Technique: Needed to refine some of his tackling techniques to avoid unnecessary penalties and to improve his efficiency in open-field tackling.

Draft Projection

Jason Simmons was projected to be selected in the 2nd to 3rd round of the 1998 NFL Draft. His combination of size, speed, and playmaking ability made him an attractive option for teams looking to bolster their secondary.

Conclusion

Jason Simmons was a promising prospect with the potential to make an immediate impact at the NFL level. His strengths as a hard-hitting safety with good coverage skills made him a player to watch in the draft, and many believed he would develop into a reliable starter in the league.