Jaylin Simpson CB Auburn | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Jaylin Simpson CB Auburn
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Dual-Role Man/Press CB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 04/21/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.45 seconds (68%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Dual-Role Man/Press CB | |
| Last Updated: 04/21/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2024 | |
| 40 time: 4.45 seconds (68%*) | |
| Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 80.8 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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80% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 57.1 | |
| Tackling: |
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76% |
| Run Defense: |
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62% |
| Coverage: |
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94% |
| Zone: |
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86% |
| Man/Press: |
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89% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
5th
Overall Rank:
#158
Position rank:
#33
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| College Games: 46 College Snaps: 1973 | ||
ESPN RATING: 80/100
College Combine Results
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247 RATING: 90/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.8 (95%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Devon Witherspoon - Illinois |
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78% |
| Mekhi Blackmon - USC |
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76% |
| Jalyn Armour-Davis - Alabama |
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68% |
Drafted: ROUND: 5 - Pick Number: 164 (IND)
Draft Profile: Bio
Jaylin Simpson, emerging from Frederica Academy High School as a highly touted 4-star recruit, quickly caught the attention of college scouts and fans alike. Rated highly by both ESPN and 247 Sports, Simpson’s transition to Auburn was marked by anticipation and high expectations. Despite seeing limited action in his freshman year with just three games and 20 snaps at safety, recording a single tackle and a QB rating when targeted of 116.7, Simpson's potential was evident from the outset. His sophomore year saw increased participation, with Simpson taking part in eight games, logging 208 snaps, making 11 tackles, and reducing the QB rating when targeted to 73.2, showcasing his growing impact in the Tigers' secondary.Simpson’s trajectory continued upward through his junior and senior years, where he became a staple in Auburn's defense. In 2021, over 11 games and 539 snaps, he notched 27 tackles, forced one interception, and achieved a QB rating when targeted of 91.6, reflecting his increasing prowess in pass defense. His senior year further underscored his development, with Simpson participating in 12 games, recording 30 tackles, two interceptions, and an impressive reduction in the QB rating when targeted to 65.5 over 556 snaps. In his fifth year, Simpson’s impact was undeniable; playing in 12 games and 650 snaps, he logged 28 tackles, 12 assists, and four interceptions, commanding an elite QB rating when targeted of 51.0. These years at Auburn, culminating in Second Team All-SEC honors and a Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist nod in 2023, underscore Simpson's readiness for the NFL.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Exhibits elite coverage instincts, making him a formidable presence in the secondary.
- Possesses strong ball skills, enabling him to disrupt passes and secure interceptions effectively.
- Displays outstanding versatility, adept at both safety and cornerback positions, enhancing defensive flexibility.
- Boasts deep range coverage, capable of patrolling sideline to sideline with ease.
- Utilizes his length adeptly to close passing windows and challenge receivers at the catch point.
- Features a sharp short-area burst, allowing him to close ground and disrupt plays swiftly.
- Smooth in movement, effortlessly sticking with receivers in off-man coverage and flowing with routes in zone.
- Demonstrates good instincts and field awareness, rarely deceived by play-action or route misdirections.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Has a thin, wiry frame, potentially limiting his effectiveness against more physical opponents.
- Run support is considered a vulnerability due to his physicality and tackling technique.
- Struggles with handling blocks, often getting pushed around by blockers.
- Displays a slight delay in hip transition when matching up against go routes, leading to coverage gaps.
- Lacks the ideal long speed for a deep safety role, which could limit his effectiveness against faster, explosive receivers.
Scouting Report: Summary
Jaylin Simpson emerges from Auburn as a highly versatile DB with significant upside. His transition from cornerback to safety has showcased an expansive skill set that blends elite coverage abilities with keen football IQ. Simpson’s ball-hawking tendencies and sideline-to-sideline coverage are reflective of a player who can immediately contribute in nickel and dime packages, presenting a strong case for early special teams value and defensive rotation potential.Despite his lean frame, Simpson’s athleticism and fluidity in transition afford him the ability to match up against slot receivers and tight ends effectively, highlighting his utility in subpackage roles. His ability to diagnose plays pre-snap and react swiftly to the ball positions him as a potential impact player in zone schemes and as a roving safety capable of undercutting routes and disrupting passing lanes. However, his development will hinge on bulking up and enhancing his physicality in run support, addressing concerns around tackling consistency and block shedding to round out his game.
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.
Jaylin Simpson percentiles vs other Cornerbacks (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Jaylin Simpson (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
140.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
41.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.