Latest news with #ElijahSimmons
USA Today
3 days ago
- General
- USA Today
96 days till the Arizona Cardinals' 2025 season opener: Who has worn No. 96?
96 days till the Arizona Cardinals' 2025 season opener: Who has worn No. 96? With 96 days till the Cardinals open the season against the Saints, we look at the players who have worn No. 96. We are counting down to the start of the 2025 regular season for the Arizona Cardinals and are now less than 14 weeks away. They will open the season on the road against the New Orleans Saints on Sept. 7. That is 96 days away. As we count down the remaining days of the offseason, let's look at who has worn that number uniform over the years for the Cardinals. Who has worn No. 96? Cardinals players to wear No. 96 No. 96 is the current number of one of their rookie free agents, defensive lineman Elijah Simmons. DL Elijah Simmons (2025-?) DL Naquan Jones (2023-24) DL Eric Banks (2023) DL Manny Jones (2022) DL Josh Mauro (2021) DL Angelo Blackson (2020) DL Jacquies Smith (2018) DL Vincent Valnetine (2018) OLB Kareem Martin (2014-2017) DL Ronald Talley (2011-2013) DL Ross Kolodziej (2007) DL A.J. Schable (2006) DL R-Kal Truluck (2005) DL Dennis Johnson (2002-2003) DL Brad Ottis (1996-2000) DL Clyde Simmons (1994-1995) DL Scott Evans (1991) No. 96 is another number that has only been used since the 90s. It hasn't been a number for impact players. Simmons was the best one and that was 30 years ago for only two seasons. It has mostly been a transient defensive lineman number. Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
USA Today
07-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Huge UDFA predicted to have biggest impact in 2025 for Cardinals
Huge UDFA predicted to have biggest impact in 2025 for Cardinals PFN believes defensive tackle Elijah Simmons will make the biggest impact among their rookie free agents in 2025 The Arizona Cardinals have had undrafted rookies make an impact. Over the last more than a decade, rookie free agents like Tony Jefferson, Trent Sherfield, Zeke Turner, Dennis Gardeck and Emari Demercado. Last year, receiver Xavier Weaver made the team, although he was inactive for most of the season. This year, the Cardinals added six rookie free agents. Which of those six has the best chance to make an impact in 2025? According to Pro Football Network, that player will be defensive tackle Elijah Simmons The Arizona Cardinals' defense finished as one of the worst in the NFL a season ago (ranked 27th in PFSN's Defense+ metric). The run defense was porous, ranking 28th in success rate. Despite adding veteran Calais Campbell and drafting Walter Nolen III, this unit must continue adding depth to its defensive front. Elijah Simmons brings a unique blend of size, strength, and explosiveness that makes him a potential difference-maker on early downs at the next level. Built like a massive tree stump at 6-2, 340 pounds, Simmons explodes off the snap and immediately creates problems for interior offensive linemen. Though he didn't log a high snap count at Tennessee, there's no shortage of tape showing him overwhelming opponents and muddying up run lanes. Simmons isn't likely to contribute much on passing downs, but he could add value against the run as a space-eater who can take on double teams. That is going to be a tough ask for a player who logged 830 total snaps in six years in college. And it will especially hard to crack this roster that is eight men deep on the defensive line. As it is, at least one defensive lineman will have to be cut or traded to make room for Nolen. As a 3-4 base defense, when the Cardinals are in nickel defense, only two DTs are on the field at a time. Now, Simmons making the practice squad is a reasonable ask, and if Dalvin Tomlinson or Bilal Nichols, who has played a lot of nose tackle, get hurt, Simmons could have a shot. But this is not really the year for an impactful rookie free agent for the Cardinals. Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
USA Today
07-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
2025 Arizona Cardinals UDFA profile: DL Elijah Simmons
2025 Arizona Cardinals UDFA profile: DL Elijah Simmons What there is to know about Cardinals rookie free agent DL Elijah Simmons The Arizona Cardinals, following the 2025 NFL draft, signed six rookie free agents who went undrafted. They round out the 90-man offseason roster and, at the end of this week, will get their first NFL experience with rookie minicamp. Before that takes place, we will go over each player, their traits and college career, so you know more about them. We continue with Tennessee defensive lineman Elijah Simmons. DL Elijah Simmons college career Simmons spent six years at Tennessee. He appeared in 55 games, collecting 59 tackles, seven tackles for loss, three tipped passes and a half sack. He is known as run stuffer and space eater. He will be 24 years old before training camp. He played only 830 total snaps in college. He was the No. 31 defensive tackle in the draft, according to The Athletic's Dane Brugler. DL Elijah Simmons physical traits Simmons is a large human being at 6-foot-1 and 334 pounds. At the NFL combine, he ran the 40 in 5.37 seconds, had a 32-inch vertical leap and 106-inch broad jump. He did not do the short shuttle or three cone. He is "built like a fire hydrant" and is "immovable when he minds his leverage and lowers center of gravity." Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
