The New York Giants are not done adding to their roster ahead of the 2023 regular season.
New York agreed to a trade with the Arizona Cardinals for hybrid linebacker and former No. 8 draft pick Isaiah Simmons for a seventh-round selection at the 2024 NFL Draft, as first reported by Adam Schefter.
In three seasons with the Cardinals, Simmons struggled to find the right role. He was used primarily as a safety and recorded four interceptions with 258 total tackles. Pro Football Focus graded his final season in the desert at an above-average 67.9.
Simmons is entering the final year of his rookie contract and has struggled to find a role in a modern defense. Once considered the best defensive player on a dynamic Clemson Tiger roster, the seemingly positionless defensive player was attempted to be pigeon-holed into one particular role. Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale has a history of using several players in different roles — a welcome change for the young defender.
The Giants are expected to use Simmons in that hybrid role while providing the change of scenery he has been looking for since Jonathan Gannon was hired by the Cardinals back in February.
