Colts select Jaylin Simpson DB Auburn

[CR91]

More DBs

[Restinpeacesweetchloe]

Playing in a big time conference should help him.

 

 

[Restinpeacesweetchloe]

This seems like a really good player. Ballard is not taking high RAS scores like he usually does.

 

 

[krunk]

I could not understand why no one was saying something about this man when we were talking about prospects before the draft.  I thought he was real solid whenever I watched. 

[Dobbinblitz]

Projected as a day 3 selection with developmental traits, Simpson’s ceiling is intriguing. With proper coaching and scheme fit, he has the traits to evolve into a starting-caliber DB capable of contributing across multiple positions. His tape shows a player ready for the next level, with the kind of versatility and football acumen that can be leveraged in various defensive frameworks. Teams looking for a multifaceted defensive back who brings both coverage skills and competitive toughness will find Simpson’s profile compelling.- 

-Draft Buzz

[James]

 

[Restinpeacesweetchloe]

Backup to Kenny?

 

 

[JediXMan]

Still hoping we get Justin Simmons to help out this young secondary. 

[stitches]

Dane Brugler's scouting report on Jaylin Simpson from his draft guide:

 

10. JAYLIN SIMPSON | Auburn 5115 | 179 lbs. | 5SR Brunswick, Ga. (Frederica) 3/17/2000 (age 24.11) #36

 

BACKGROUND: Jaylin Simpson, one of three children, grew up in Brunswick (southern Georgia, near the Atlantic coast). He came up in the Gl ynn County school district and attended Jane Macon middle school. Instead of attending Brunswick High School, he chose to enroll at Frederica Academy, a small prep school on Saint Simons Island (enrollment of 450 students). He was a four-year varsity starter and collected four interceptions as a freshman cornerback, helping Frederica to a 9-2 record. On offense, Simpson caught a combined 38 passes as a wide receiver over his first two seasons. As a junior in 2017, though, he was moved to quarterback, because of injuries to others on the depth chart, and posted 761 passing yards, 741 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns (eight passing, eight rushing). As a senior, the coaches again asked Simpson to play quarterback, and he led Frederica to a 10-3 record and the 2018 GISA state championship (the second in school history). Despite missing four games with turf toe as a senior, he finished his final season with 1,433 passing yards, 441 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns (15 passing, seven rushing), adding 48 tackles, four interceptions and two forced fumbles. Simpson played for Cam Newton’s 7-on-7 team throughout high school. He was a star on the basketball court for Frederica and joined the baseball team as a senior outfielder. He also ran trac k and won a 2019 state title in the high jump (6 feet, 2 inches).

 

A four-star recruit, Simpson was the No. 33 cornerback in the 2019 recruiting class and the No. 34 recruit in Georgia. Some questioned his decision to play at a smaller prep school and worried he wouldn’t be highly recruited, but Ohio State handed him his first offer early in his sophomore season (August 2016) — and those concerns quickly dissipated. Simpson would add offers from Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Miami and Oklahoma. Shortly after an unofficial visit at Auburn, however, he committed to head coach Gus Malzahn in April 2018. Simpson was the No. 14 recruit in Auburn’s 2019 class (same class as QB Bo Nix, LB Derick Hall and WR Jashawn Sheffield, Simpson’s high school teammate and best friend). He accepted his invitation to the 2024 Senior Bowl.

 

STRENGTHS: Above-average athletic tools with excellent speed … springy lower body for explosive read-and-drive reactions in coverage … plays with terrific timing to arrive with the ball and force incompletions … ball skills have always come naturally to him, and long arms help him take the football away … had a 50-yard return touchdown in 2023 and becomes a threat with the ball in his hands … has a cornerback background and can press at the line or drop as a hook/curl player in underneath zone … vocal in the huddle and on the sidelines (NFL scout: “He’s the life of the party.”) … experience shows when helping teammates get lined up presnap … 441 special-teams snaps in his career and was a regular on punt coverage as a senior … has experience across the secondary and had his best season in 2023.

 

WEAKNESSES: Lean build,regardless if he is to be considered a safety, corner or nickel … will lose sight of the football and get pinballed when attempting to work through traffic … wild pursuit angles disrupt his finishing skills, and ball carriers escape his grasp more than they should … occasionally braces for contact before attempting the tackle and needs to show better determination in the run game … shifty slot receivers will tax his quick-twitch redirection skills and test his deep speed … not as comfortable flipping his head to locate in the deep half of the field … size and past injuries will lead to durability concerns: missed two games as a sophomore because of an ankle injury (September 2021); missed three games as a redshirt freshman because of a hamstring injury (September 2020); missed time in high school because of various issues, including ankle surgery, a fractured wrist and turf toe.

 

SUMMARY: A one-year starter at Auburn, Simpson played a free safety/nickel role in former defensive coordinator Ron Roberts’ man/zone coverage looks (played for four different defensive coordinators). After serving as a rotational corner as an underclassman, he moved inside in 2023 and delivered an impactful final season with a team-best four interceptions (all in the first five games), spending most of his time in the slot and playing a mix of press and off coverage. A long, rangy athlete, Simpson anticipates well in coverage, and he has the explosive lower body to transition and drive on throws with impeccable timing. With the ability to play man-toman or line up in the post, his experience across the secondary is a strength — but he also has some cornerback-safety tweener traits, including his slight, underpowered size. Overall, Simpson’s inconsistencies in the run game aren’t ideal for a nickel role, but his reactionary athleticism and ball-hawking instincts are superb and what will drive the discussion when NFL teams put his tag on the draft board. Although he is off some NFL boards because of his size, he projects best as a versatile role player in the secondary and potential special teamer.

 

GRADE: 4th Round

[Smonroe]

4 minutes ago, Restinpeacesweetchloe said:

This seems like a really good player. Ballard is not taking high RAS scores like he usually does.

 

 

As Bowen said, Ballard is adjusting his stance.  RAS is important, but production is as important.

 

After all, we have a guy starting on our DLine who had a RAS less than 4.  And he’s not bad, lol!

[Restinpeacesweetchloe]

 

[csmopar]

Welcome young man

[Patrick Miller]

Am I crazy or did we trade with Green Bay to get this pick? we had the 155th pick….

[James]

Hopefully he stays at S and compete for the free safety spot.

[GoColts8818]

Colts challenge Thomas and Denbow for end of the roster spot.

[Scott Pennock]

A Swiss army guy that has lined up at CB and FS and likely our new backup nickel back…. I never liked Lammons anyways! Lol

[Blueblood23]

9 minutes ago, krunk said:

I could not understand why no one was saying something about this man when we were talking about prospects before the draft.  I thought he was real solid whenever I watched. 

Awe fully small

[GoColts8818]

Just now, Patrick Miller said:

Am I crazy or did we trade with Green Bay to get this pick?

I saw the Colts traded out from 155 and got a sixth rounder for it plus this pick.

[1959Colts]

The scouting reports say he is a real ball hawk

[krunk]

2 minutes ago, Blueblood23 said:

Awe fully small

He's got the right height though.  I don't believe Bethea came into the league at 200lbs.

He was probably around 185 I bet. I think there's room to add 10-15lbs

[Dobbinblitz]

4 minutes ago, GoColts8818 said:

I saw the Colts traded out from 155 and got a sixth rounder for it plus this pick.

Yes they added  pick 201

[GoColts8818]

Just now, Dobbinblitz said:

Yes they added  pick 201

Still need a running back I think beyond that I feel they have addressed their major needs.  Maybe look for the best special teamer with the other pick.

[krunk]

And we still have 2 more picks left. 

1 minute ago, GoColts8818 said:

Still need a running back I think beyond that I feel they have addressed their major needs.  Maybe look for the best special teamer with the other pick.

We drafted one last year. Evan Hull, but I guess it can't hurt to take another one with Moss leaving. 

[holeymoley99]

8 minutes ago, GoColts8818 said:

Colts challenge Thomas and Denbow for end of the roster spot.

Dont forget Dabo, his International Exemption is up

[GoColts8818]

2 minutes ago, krunk said:

And we still have 2 more picks left. 

We drafted one last year. Evan Hull, but I guess it can't hurt to take another one with Moss leaving. 

Need three and I am not really sold on the others beyond Hull and Taylor of course.

[Dobbinblitz]

2 minutes ago, GoColts8818 said:

Still need a running back I think beyond that I feel they have addressed their major needs.  Maybe look for the best special teamer with the other pick.

Yeah, thought one of the 3 5th rounders would be an RB

[richard pallo]

11 minutes ago, GoColts8818 said:

Need three and I am not really sold on the others beyond Hull and Taylor of course.

They resigned Sermon.

[Patrick Miller]

We also have Goodson. The dude that dropped the pass.

[holeymoley99]

Just now, Patrick Miller said:

We also have Goodson. The dude that dropped the pass.

On such a badly thrown pass must rb's dont bring that in. I thought he played well for us, especially the Pitt game. Not sure he beats out Hull who should be 2 but him and Sermon will be a battle for 3.

[NewColtsFan]

31 minutes ago, Smonroe said:

As Bowen said, Ballard is adjusting his stance.  RAS is important, but production is as important.

 

After all, we have a guy starting on our DLine who had a RAS less than 4.  And he’s not bad, lol!

Who has a RAS below 4?    Grover?    
 

When the Colts drafted him he weighed 344.   He now weighs and plays at 315.   He’s different a different person and player.  

[Dobbinblitz]

Would not mind at all if the Colts drafted a short yardage , chain moving, battering ram type RB, to help spell Taylor and take some of these hits off him - keep him healthy for a full season.  Hopefully it is Hull, but beyond that….

[Smonroe]

Just now, NewColtsFan said:

Who has a RAS below 4?    Grover?    
 

When the Colts drafted him he weighed 344.   He now weighs and plays at 315.   He’s different a different person and player.  

 

Nope.  We shouldn't allow this guy on the team with that RAS!

 

https://ras.football/2019/12/27/deforest-buckner-ras/#:~:text=Deforest Buckner was drafted by,out of a possible 10.0.

[jvan1973]

14 minutes ago, Patrick Miller said:

We also have Goodson. The dude that dropped the pass.

Not many players make that catch

[richard pallo]

7 minutes ago, Dobbinblitz said:

Would not mind at all if the Colts drafted a short yardage , chain moving, battering ram type RB, to help spell Taylor and take some of these hits off him - keep him healthy for a full season.  Hopefully it is Hull, but beyond that….

I would love a real full back in the running back room.  

[NewColtsFan]

28 minutes ago, Smonroe said:

 

Nope.  We shouldn't allow this guy on the team with that RAS!

 

https://ras.football/2019/12/27/deforest-buckner-ras/#:~:text=Deforest Buckner was drafted by,out of a possible 10.0.

 

Interesting… 

I don’t think RAS has been around that long.  Makes me wonder if they've changed or updated their grading system?   
 

Because otherwise, this isn’t a very good example that RAS has much real value.   Yikes! 
 

Thanks for this…..  

[GoColts8818]

26 minutes ago, richard pallo said:

They resigned Sermon.

That’s nice.  I am not overly excited by him and hardly think he’s a lock to make the final roster.   They also kept Baker so just keeping someone doesn’t mean they will make the final 53.

[DoubleE Colt]

Colts indicate he'll be used as LB on social media release of the pick

[GoColts8818]

7 minutes ago, DoubleE Colt said:

Colts indicate he'll be used as LB on social media release of the pick

I believe that was Charlis.

[ColtsLegacy]

58 minutes ago, NewColtsFan said:

 

Interesting… 

I don’t think RAS has been around that long.  Makes me wonder if they've changed or updated their grading system?   
 

Because otherwise, this isn’t a very good example that RAS has much real value.   Yikes! 
 

Thanks for this…..  

 

Do you know what RAS stands for? It does exactly what the acronym states (Relative Athletic Score). Based on the measurables and testing numbers it gives an athletic score (1-10) relative to everyone ever (or at least in the combine area) at the specific position.

[NewColtsFan]

21 minutes ago, ColtsLegacy said:

 

Do you know what RAS stands for? It does exactly what the acronym states (Relative Athletic Score). Based on the measurables and testing numbers it gives an athletic score (1-10) relative to everyone ever at your position.

 

 

Well, well….  You certainly seem offended.  And I almost got thru the draft without upsetting someone.  Darn.  
 

I believe RAS stands for Relative Athletic score.   It factors in things like what position is played.   Height,  weight,  various athletic scores.  It ranks the player in various percentiles.   
 

One would think it’s an odd look to have a player like Buckner who I think was drafted 7 or 8 and yet he has a score of below 4.  
 

That doesn’t strike you as odd?