John Simpson Drafted By Las Vegas Raiders

Clemson offensive lineman John Simpson was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders in the fourth round of the NFL Draft on Saturday.

USA Today Sports

Clemson offensive lineman John Simpson was taken by the Las Vegas Raiders (109th overall) in the fourth round of the NFL Draft on Saturday. 

The sixth offensive lineman in Clemson history to be a consensus All-American, the Raiders are getting a player that will bring a physical presence that teams covet in offensive linemen and a guy that moves very well for his size. He has the talent to become a full-time starting guard very quickly.

"John Simpson is a big guy and mighty powerful," Clemson offensive line coach Robbie Caldwell said. "He brings an athleticism to the Raiders that is very special for a guy his size. I think he’s going to help the Raiders in the run and the pass game."

Simpson became a full-time starter for the Tigers at left guard over the past two seasons, helping lead the team to a 29-1 record over that span. 

Last season, Simpson had by far his most productive year. He was a consensus All-American, being named first-team by Sporting News, AFCA, FWAA, and WCFF. The AP named him a second-team All-American. 

"John Simpson was a captain and a graduate," Dabo Swinney said. "And is as good of an offensive lineman as we’ve had come through Clemson—going on 18 years, my 18th season—as good an offensive lineman as I’ve seen here. He’s ready-made. He’s what everybody’s looking for at the next level."

In 2018, Simpson was inserted into the starting lineup permanently. He was named second AP All-ACC and third-team All-ACC, as he helped guide the Tigers to a perfect 15-0 record, and a second national title in three seasons. 

As a freshman, Simpson played in nine games and logged 160 snaps, allowing just one sack. As a sophomore, his playing time almost doubled, as he was on the field for 300 snaps, and had 11 knockdown blocks.

Simpson was a four-star prospect out of Fort Dorchester High in North Charleston, S.C., and rated as the seventh-best player in the nation at his position. He was a finalist for Mr. Football in South Carolina after his senior season and named the Palmetto Lineman of the Year.

He chose Clemson over Florida and LSU and was a state champion in wrestling as a junior in high school. Simpson joins former teammates Clelin Ferrell, Hunter Renfrow , Tanner Muse and Trayvon Mullen out West. 

“That’s the thing. They already got Tanner Muse and then last year with Hunter Renfrow and Clelin Ferrell. The Raiders are going to this talent-leading Clemson Tiger program and getting some players,” NFL Draft Analyst Mel Kiper said. “That offensive line was strong this season and the best they have had in a while. As a run blocker, Simpson is able to drive the defender off the ball and can pull. He’s a good prospect—not great—but as a guard going to the Raiders can certainly help Derek Carr and that offense along the interior. He has veteran experience and played in a lot of big games. I think he compete for a starting job fairly early in his pro career.” 

Strengths: Has the prototypical body for an interior lineman and accelerates into first contact. Quick to reset his hands and hips to get out of poorly leveraged positions. Extremely difficult for opposing defensive linemen to bull-rush. Athletic enough to get out into space and block on screen plays.

Weaknesses: Slow to come out of his stance, and his slow starts allow for head starts from up-field three techniques. Occasionally lunges when forced to block on the move. To many holding penalties and false starts. Takes inconsistent angles up to the second level.