The Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t have a first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. But Wednesday, the Steelers had an opportunity to sign a highly coveted prospect from the 2020 draft class.
Steelers Depot reported Wednesday the team hosted linebacker Isaiah Simmons for a workout. The Arizona Cardinals drafted Simmons at No. 8 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Simmons was one of two linebackers the Steelers hosted for a workout. Pittsburgh also invited Michael Barrett to its facility.
“The Pittsburgh Steelers hosted a pair of linebackers for tryouts on Wednesday,” wrote Steelers Depot’s Alex Kozora. “Per the NFL’s transitions sheet, the Steelers worked out LB Michael Barrett and Isaiah Simmons.
“The latter is a notable name, a former first-round pick with more than 40 career starts.”
The Steelers didn’t sign either linebacker the same day as the workout. Early on Wednesday, the team added second-year linebacker Jacoby Windmon to its practice squad.
Simmons spent three seasons with the Cardinals and then played two years mostly as a reserve linebacker for the New York Giants. In 84 NFL games, he has posted 329 combined tackles, including 15 tackles for loss. Simmons has also registered 8.5 sacks, 21 pass defenses and five interceptions.
However, a vast majority of pundits consider Simmons a bust. At 27 years old, Simmons doesn’t have a job even though he was the top linebacker in the draft just five years ago.
“Ascending hybrid talent with rare length, speed and versatility to create mismatches for the offense, depending upon alignment,” wrote NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein. “He has a bachelor’s at three positions (slot corner, safety, linebacker) but could earn a master’s degree in complex workload with a more focused and defined job description than ‘jack-of-all-trades.’
“His unique potential to spy and shrink the field against dual-threat quarterbacks could push him way up the draft board.”
Steelers Host LB Isaiah Simmons for Workout
Simmons hasn’t lived up to his lofty draft expectations. But still only 27 years old, he’s an intriguing flier for a team this fall.
That could especially be the case for the Steelers with the team losing a pair of linebackers this week. On Tuesday, the Steelers waived Ja’Whaun Bentley to add running back/returner Raheem Blackshear to their practice squad.
Then Tuesday night, the Las Vegas Raiders signed Jon Rhattigan off the Pittsburgh practice squad and to their active roster.
The Steelers added Windmon to their practice squad to replace them.
The team would have to make a corresponding move now to add Simmons. But it wouldn’t be surprising if the Steelers elected to add more linebacker depth on their practice squad.
Steelers Also Had LB Michael Barrett for Visit
Simmons was the headliner, but the Steelers also had Barrett visit this week.
The Carolina Panthers selected Barrett in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Ironically, the Panthers picked the linebacker with a Pittsburgh draft selection that went to Carolina in the Diontae Johnson-Donte Jackson trade in March 2024.
Ahead of his rookie season, the Panthers dealt Barrett to the Seattle Seahawks. Over a year and a half in the league, Barrett has also spent time with the Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers and Raiders.
In college, Barrett played six seasons at Michigan. He had 65 combined tackles, including four for loss and three sacks for the team during their 2023 national championship campaign.
Steelers Host Former Top 10 NFL Draft Pick for Workout: Report