Jake Crandall-USA TODAY NETWORK

Raiders NFL Draft Prospect: S Jaylin Simpson, Auburn

Originally posted on FanNation Raider Maven
By Carter Landis | Last updated 1/20/24

The Las Vegas Raiders are looking to add talent through the 2024 NFL Draft.

Now that Antonio Pierce has been named the head coach, he and the team can look to find talent that fits their culture.

The Raiders will look to build off of the way they ended the 2023-24 season, hoping to add players to push them into playoff contention. They will look for players on both sides of the ball to help them do this.

That could include Auburn safety Jaylin Simpson. Simpson recently declared for the draft and will attend the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., to showcase his talents among the best players in the draft.

Simpson joined the Tigers in 2019 and finished his career with 116 total tackles, four tackles for loss, 14 passes defended, and seven interceptions. He was named First-Team All-SEC last season, showing that he was one of the best defenders in arguably the best conference in college football.

Simpson is 6-foot-1 and weighs 178 pounds, and he truly embodies those measurements. He is tall and slender and looks like an NFL safety.

Not only does Simpson look like an NFL safety because of his build, but he also looks like one because of how he plays. He is a well-rounded defensive back who thrives as a run defender and in coverage.

According to Pro Football Focus, Simpson was targeted 25 times, allowing just 15 completions for 151 yards and only one touchdown. He has excellent speed and is able to click and close on route runners quickly to make a tackle or knock away a pass.

Simpson’s speed allows him to thrive as a run defender too, using long strides to cover lots of ground and only allowing minimal gains for ball carriers. He may be slender, but he is not afraid to hit.

While he is good in coverage, he does tend to bite on routes occasionally, giving up big plays. He is also not technically refined, which is concerning for a player who spent so much time in college.

Simpson is projected to be a day three selection but should test well at the NFL Scouting Combine, which should improve his stock. If the Raiders want an athletic safety who can shut down the run and cover receivers downfield, Simpson may be their guy.

From February 27 to March 4, 2024, the NFL Scouting Combine will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind.

The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently hold the No. 13 overall pick.

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This article first appeared on FanNation Raider Maven and was syndicated with permission.

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