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5 Linebacker prospects the Cincinnati Bengals can target in the 2020 Draft

By Hunter Bittinger

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 07: Chazz Surratt #21 of the North Carolina Tar Heels pressures Jarren Williams #15 of the Miami Hurricanes during the first half of their game at Kenan Stadium on September 07, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 07: Chazz Surratt #21 of the North Carolina Tar Heels pressures Jarren Williams #15 of the Miami Hurricanes during the first half of their game at Kenan Stadium on September 07, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 14: Isaiah Simmons #18 of the Clemson Tigers at the Carrier Dome on September 14, 2019 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 14: Isaiah Simmons #18 of the Clemson Tigers at the Carrier Dome on September 14, 2019 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images) /

Right now, there are no linebacker prospects projected to be taken in the top 5. However, there is always a possibility that could change. In fact, Isaiah Simmons out of Clemson has recently started surging up the draft rankings.

https://twitter.com/theACCDN/status/1189987906368294914

The video above from @theACCDN detailing his skill set to the backdrop of praise from his coach, Dabo Sweeney, should have Bengals fans dreaming. Sweeney even goes so far to say that he could legitimately play safety, an attribute that would go a long way in the Bengals finding a solution to covering running backs and tight ends.

The hybrid linebacker position has become one of the most important in the NFL in recent years. It’s also something the Bengals have been lacking. Simmons shouldn’t be nearly as athletic as he is at his size, which gives him the potential to fill that role.

He’ll be a top performer at the combine with his mixture of speed, size, and agility. There are even rumors swirling that he can run a sub 4.4 40 yard dash at 230 pounds. If that truly is the case, he may be too tempting for the Bengals to pass up. Simmons becomes an even more likely option if the Bengals begin to fall down the draft order or decide to trade back and acquire more picks.

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