- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 387,035
- Reaction score
- 43
The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who the Green Bay Packers could select in the 2025 NFL draft.
The Green Bay Packers opened the offseason by re-signing Isaiah McDuffie to a two-year deal. With McDuffie locked up, the Packers have their top four linebackers in place with Edgerrin Cooper, Quay Walker, McDuffie and Ty'Ron Hopper.
Even with McDuffie back in the fold, Brian Gutekunst could look to add another linebacker to the fold on Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft. A potential target is Cody Simon. The Ohio State linebacker checks in at No. 46 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.
A four-star recruit out of New Jersey, Simon recorded 54 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack and one interception. The following season he recorded six tackles for loss and two sacks. In 2023, Simon recorded 57 tackles and three tackles for loss.
This past season the Buckeye linebacker recorded 112 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, seven sacks and seven pass deflections.
“It’s hard to overstate what Simon meant for Ohio State. He was a captain and wore the honorary Block O jersey, so his role off the field was immense,” Stefan Krajisnik, an Ohio State reporter for Cleveland.com, said. “On the field, he was a key piece in unlocking the defense. The Buckeyes had to look in the mirror and reset some things after losing at Oregon on Oct. 12. Afterward, Simon started playing his best football – highlighted by aggressive usage. He was a big piece in leading OSU to a national title.”
Simon is an instinctive player who is always hunting the football. He has disciplined eyes and is rarely out of position. He takes appropriate angles to beat blocks. While he's not a downhill enforcer, he's a tone-setter against the run with his motor and play speed. He has the functional strength to take on and shed blocks. With his lateral quickness, he's able to shut down runs outside the numbers. According to Pro Football Focus, Simon recorded 45 run stops this past season, including 17 during Ohio State's run to the National Championship.
"Simon has quality instincts," Krajisnik said. "Because of that, there are plenty of examples from games in which Simon makes a quick move to find the proper gap to fill. Among linebackers with at least 235 snaps played in 2024, Simon had the third-best rush defense-grade, according to Pro Football Focus."
Simon is an effective blitzer. This past season he recorded seven sacks and 20 pressures. He times it up and shows outstanding closing burst. He has the fluidity and quickness to turn and run with tight ends.
"Simon is talented in the blitz game, as highlighted by a pair of sacks in a Rose Bowl win vs. Oregon," Krajisnik said. "Simon is fairly decent in coverage, specifically against tight ends. It would probably be unfair to label him as superb or poor in the area. He’s likely somewhere in the middle."
During his time at Ohio State, Simon logged 586 snaps on special teams and recorded nine tackles, including 206 snaps in 2022, a season in which he recorded five special teams tackles. The Buckeye linebacker could provide an immediate impact on special teams.
"Simon was a special teams contributor throughout his time with Ohio State," Krajisnik said. "Coach Ryan Day also frequently left his defense on the field in situations where a fake punt was possible. In similar circumstances, Simon could be a quality option for NFL teams."
Cooper could be the face of Green Bay's defense moving forward. The former Texas A&M Aggie was that impressive during his rookie season.
The question is who will be alongside him long-term? Walker will likely have his fifth-year option picked up, but will he earn a second contract after that? Will Hopper develop into a starting-caliber player?
Those are all long-term questions. In the short term, the Packers need another body in that linebacker room. Simon checks a lot of boxes with his instincts, leadership and special teams experience.
"I’d draft Simon because of a mixture of ability, experience and leadership," Krajisnik said. "Simon showed he can be a voice in the room who helps lead a team to a championship. At linebacker, maybe more than any position outside of quarterback, those are important traits to have."
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Unpacking Future Packers: No. 46, Ohio State LB Cody Simon
Continue reading...
The Green Bay Packers opened the offseason by re-signing Isaiah McDuffie to a two-year deal. With McDuffie locked up, the Packers have their top four linebackers in place with Edgerrin Cooper, Quay Walker, McDuffie and Ty'Ron Hopper.
Even with McDuffie back in the fold, Brian Gutekunst could look to add another linebacker to the fold on Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft. A potential target is Cody Simon. The Ohio State linebacker checks in at No. 46 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.
A four-star recruit out of New Jersey, Simon recorded 54 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack and one interception. The following season he recorded six tackles for loss and two sacks. In 2023, Simon recorded 57 tackles and three tackles for loss.
This past season the Buckeye linebacker recorded 112 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, seven sacks and seven pass deflections.
“It’s hard to overstate what Simon meant for Ohio State. He was a captain and wore the honorary Block O jersey, so his role off the field was immense,” Stefan Krajisnik, an Ohio State reporter for Cleveland.com, said. “On the field, he was a key piece in unlocking the defense. The Buckeyes had to look in the mirror and reset some things after losing at Oregon on Oct. 12. Afterward, Simon started playing his best football – highlighted by aggressive usage. He was a big piece in leading OSU to a national title.”
Simon is an instinctive player who is always hunting the football. He has disciplined eyes and is rarely out of position. He takes appropriate angles to beat blocks. While he's not a downhill enforcer, he's a tone-setter against the run with his motor and play speed. He has the functional strength to take on and shed blocks. With his lateral quickness, he's able to shut down runs outside the numbers. According to Pro Football Focus, Simon recorded 45 run stops this past season, including 17 during Ohio State's run to the National Championship.
"Simon has quality instincts," Krajisnik said. "Because of that, there are plenty of examples from games in which Simon makes a quick move to find the proper gap to fill. Among linebackers with at least 235 snaps played in 2024, Simon had the third-best rush defense-grade, according to Pro Football Focus."
Simon is an effective blitzer. This past season he recorded seven sacks and 20 pressures. He times it up and shows outstanding closing burst. He has the fluidity and quickness to turn and run with tight ends.
"Simon is talented in the blitz game, as highlighted by a pair of sacks in a Rose Bowl win vs. Oregon," Krajisnik said. "Simon is fairly decent in coverage, specifically against tight ends. It would probably be unfair to label him as superb or poor in the area. He’s likely somewhere in the middle."
During his time at Ohio State, Simon logged 586 snaps on special teams and recorded nine tackles, including 206 snaps in 2022, a season in which he recorded five special teams tackles. The Buckeye linebacker could provide an immediate impact on special teams.
"Simon was a special teams contributor throughout his time with Ohio State," Krajisnik said. "Coach Ryan Day also frequently left his defense on the field in situations where a fake punt was possible. In similar circumstances, Simon could be a quality option for NFL teams."
Fit with the Packers
Cooper could be the face of Green Bay's defense moving forward. The former Texas A&M Aggie was that impressive during his rookie season.
The question is who will be alongside him long-term? Walker will likely have his fifth-year option picked up, but will he earn a second contract after that? Will Hopper develop into a starting-caliber player?
Those are all long-term questions. In the short term, the Packers need another body in that linebacker room. Simon checks a lot of boxes with his instincts, leadership and special teams experience.
"I’d draft Simon because of a mixture of ability, experience and leadership," Krajisnik said. "Simon showed he can be a voice in the room who helps lead a team to a championship. At linebacker, maybe more than any position outside of quarterback, those are important traits to have."
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Unpacking Future Packers: No. 46, Ohio State LB Cody Simon
Continue reading...
