Jaylin Simpson 2024 NFL Draft Profile
The Safety class in the 2024 NFL Draft is sneaky good. I think there are a handful of really good prospects to be had in the later rounds. I had the chance to watch Auburn’s Jaylin Simpson at the Senior Bowl but we’ve talked about him during the Stock Report series this year as well. Is he being overlooked in this draft cycle? Let’s talk about it.
Simpson, a former four-star recruit out of Saint Simons Island, Georgia committed to Auburn in 2018 and was a part of the 2019 class. He would not see consistent playing time until his third season but made an impact during his final two seasons. My biggest thing to hit on was that the QB rating when targeted decreased significantly in all of his last three seasons, going from 91.6 in 2021, to 65.5 in 2022 and ending with 51.0 in 2023. Four interceptions in five weeks is stellar production.
Jaylin Simpson is being overlooked. There’s the lede. He possesses very good zone coverage skills, using good speed and quick feet to change direction and get where he needs to be. The uptick in production every year shows the ball-hawking potential he has. Very disruptive at the point of catch for being slighter in frame. He isn’t one to be faked easily on double routes or pump fakes. The hips, while not consistent, to flip smooth and the head gets around quickly.
The hips have to be more consistent. NFL teams might be weary about the frame (6’0, 180 lbs) and if he can be physical enough to bang at the next level. You can’t count on him in run support right now, the tackling form just isn’t there. Doesn’t seem to be a willing tackler as well. Tested well speed-wise, but the play speed shows that on those deep balls, he can be delayed in getting around in time. I think a few of these things could be resolved in an NFL training camp if he got on a proper nutrition plan and put on a little weight.
The consensus on Jaylin Simpson is a little mixed. I have seen some people say he’s an undrafted prospect, but I have seen him as high as the late fifth round. I personally would take him in the middle part of day three, around the end of round four into round five. I think those coverage skills are huge, and if he can eat a little more he might be alright. I would take him there and get him up to around 190 lbs hopefully before the season’s end. He should be pretty decent by the end of that rookie deal.
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