With The First Pick
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2020 NFL Draft: Cardinals select Isaiah Simmons to bolster defense

By Felix Davila

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 13: Isaiah Simmons #11 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates a defensive stop against the LSU Tigers during the first quarter in the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 13: Isaiah Simmons #11 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates a defensive stop against the LSU Tigers during the first quarter in the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 02: Isaiah Simmons #11 of the Clemson Tigers reacts after a pass break up against the Miami Hurricanes in the second quarter during the ACC Football Championship at Bank of America Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. He heads to the Cardinals in the 2020 NFL Draft. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 02: Isaiah Simmons #11 of the Clemson Tigers reacts after a pass break up against the Miami Hurricanes in the second quarter during the ACC Football Championship at Bank of America Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. He heads to the Cardinals in the 2020 NFL Draft. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

With the 8th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Arizona Cardinals select defensive weapon Isaiah Simmons to greatly improve their defense.

A year ago, the Arizona Cardinals made a complete 180-degree flip from the 2018 NFL Draft by selecting quarterback Kyler Murray with the first overall pick. New head coach Kliff Kingsbury endured a tough season but his successes give the fans tons of promise of what can come from his offense. They bolster that promise with their selection tonight. With the eighth pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Arizona Cardinals select defensive weapon Isaiah Simmons.

Building up the offense is a key move considering it is Kingsbury’s forte. Prior to the last few weeks, the big news was their trade for Deandre Hopkins in exchange for picks and David Johnson. That was a major addition by adding one of the league’s best receivers. It also put a damper on many previous rumors that Murray would reunite with prospect CeeDee Lamb.

And while some could argue they should have improved their defense with some quality players still on the board, Isaiah Simmons gives the Cardinals a surefire answer at one of their most shallow positions of the past couple of seasons (or positions).

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By selecting Simmons, the Cardinals are ensuring they improve a defense that is in need of an upgrade from a year ago. While the Cardinals could ensured a better chance at helping Murray take his game to the next level with a receiver, passing on Simmons would have been a hard ask.

It will be quite a while before the Cardinals are back up to pick as they shipped their second-rounder in the Hopkins trade, but fans can be excited about this selection, which can help them compete better in the NFC West.

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