Simpson flashed elite lateral speed and screen recognition in run defense, but costly coverage breakdowns and a personal foul dragged his overall grade down to 66.2.
Run defense8126Coverage5020Special teams6015Pass rush601
The full breakdown
Simpson's standout run defense (81 facet grade) was propelled by exceptional sideline-to-sideline range, highlighted by instantly blowing up a screen for a five-yard loss at Q2 03:20 and tackling Tyler Goodson for a loss on an outside zone at Q3 02:36. However, his coverage grade plunged to a 50 due to major miscues, beginning with an egregious 13-yard facemask penalty on Javonte Williams at Q1 06:06 (-2.0). He later surrendered a 19-yard touchdown to Jake Ferguson at Q3 01:53 by failing to carry him vertically out of curl/flat zone. While early struggles getting off second-level climb blocks cost yardage, his downhill trigger generated multiple negative plays that salvaged an above-neutral afternoon.
Strengths
Screen diagnosis and lateral trigger
Range on outside runs
Downhill gap shooting
Weaknesses
Tackling discipline
Carrying vertical routes in zone coverage
Shedding second-level perimeter blocks
Plays that moved the grade
+2Q2 03:20, 1st & 10Diagnosed a running back screen instantly at the snap and tackled Goodson for a 5-yard loss.
-2Q1 06:06, 1st & 10Assisted on a short pass tackle but twisted the runner down by the facemask for a 13-yard penalty.
+1.5Q3 02:36, 1st & 10Outran climbing offensive line angles on an outside stretch to bring down Goodson for a 1-yard loss.
Every graded snap · 13 wins or losses, 49 routine
-0.5Q1 11:11 · 2 & 7 · Run defenseGets sealed on the perimeter by Schoonmaker and cannot collapse back into the running lane.
-0.5Q1 10:40 · 1 & 10 · Run defenseWalled off by Guyton at the second level, conceding the crease to Williams.
-2Q1 06:06 · 1 & 10 · CoveragePursues the flat route quickly to assist on the tackle, but twists Williams down by the facemask for an egregious 13-yard penalty.
+2Q2 03:20 · 1 & 10 · Run defenseInstantly diagnoses the running back screen at the snap, triggers laterally with exceptional speed, avoids the tackle's block, and tackles Goodson for a 5-yard loss.
+0.5Q2 02:00 · 1 & 10 · Run defenseDiagnosed the sweep, scraped over the top quickly, and chased down Goodson to limit the gain to 9 yards.
+0.5Q3 14:20 · 1 & 10 · Run defenseReads run action quickly, avoids trash on the second level, and dives in to clean up the tackle.
+1Q3 12:40 · 1 & 10 · Run defenseTriggers quickly downhill at the snap, attacks fullback Luepke head-on in the hole, and wraps up Williams for a short 2-yard gain.
+1Q3 12:01 · 2 & 8 · Run defenseDiscipline in hook drop allows him to click and close immediately when Prescott scrambles, making a sure tackle in space to prevent a first down.
+1.5Q3 10:40 · 1 & 10 · Run defenseTriggers downhill rapidly upon screen identification, helps surround the ball carrier, and dives to secure the fumble recovery.
-1Q3 03:39 · 1 & 10 · Run defenseGets caught behind the wash of Washington and fails to scrape over the top in time to challenge the cutback.
+1.5Q3 02:36 · 1 & 10 · Run defenseTriggers instantaneously on the stretch run, effortlessly outrunning the offensive line's climbing angles to wrangle Goodson for a 1-yard loss near the sideline.
-1Q3 01:53 · 2 & 11 · CoverageAllowed Ferguson to blow past his drop without getting hands on him or carrying him vertically.
+1.5Q4 13:03 · 1 & 10 · Run defenseInstantly triggers on the run, beats the climbing interior blocker through the gap, and meets Williams at the line of scrimmage for a solo tackle.