The Arizona Cardinals have moved on from 2020 first-round pick Isaiah Simmons with about two weeks left until Week 1. Arizona traded Simmons, now a safety, to the New York Giants for a 2024 seventh-round pick the Cardinals announced.
The move comes less than a week after Simmons played 25 snaps for Arizona in his second preseason game at his new position. He made a switch to defensive back this offseason after playing throughout the Cardinals’ defense in his first three seasons under former coach Kliff Kingsbury and former defensive coordinator Vance Joseph.
Arizona, under new general manager Monti Ossenfort, declined to pick up Simmons’ fifth-year option earlier this year.
Simmons, who was drafted eighth overall in 2020 out of Clemson, entered the league as a positionless player of sorts. He lined up at four positions throughout his first three seasons, according to ESPN Stats & Information data, including more than 1,300 snaps at inside and outside linebacker.
Earlier in training camp, Simmons, who was recruited to Clemson as a safety, said he was primarily learning his new position during camp. He said he was comfortable at safety and enjoying his new position.
Simmons struggled in Saturday’s preseason loss to the Chiefs, falling a couple of steps behind Chiefs receiver Justin Watson on a touchdown pass and then not closing on Kansas City quarterback Shane Buechele during a 15-yard touchdown run.
The Giants play at Arizona in Week 2.
