HEIGHT: 6'0"

WEIGHT: 179

HAND: 9⅞"

ARM: 32⅜"

WINGSPAN: 76⅝"

40-YARD DASH: 4.45

3-CONE: N/A

SHUTTLE: N/A

VERTICAL: 39.5"

BROAD: 11'1"

POSITIVES

— Versatile defensive back who can play all over the secondary. Can play as a deep safety and over the slot as well.

— Opportunistic player who has the ball skills to capitalize on errant throws. Does a very good job of identifying and attacking the ball in the air.

— Good athlete with smooth backpedal and hips to flip and run. Puts himself in good positions and bursts out of breaks. Takes good angles and drives on the ball.

NEGATIVES

— Long strider who can take time to get to top speed, allowing more explosive and twitchy athletes to get on his toes and create separation downfield.

— Lacks a blow when tackling bigger running backs. Willing tackler but often takes the brunt of the tackle since he's undersized.

2023 STATISTICS

— 13 G, 36 TOT, 1.5 TFL, 4 INT, 1 TD, 3 PD, 1 FR

NOTES

— Born March 17, 2001

— 44 career starts

— 4-star recruit in the 2019 class, per 247Sports

— 2024 Reese's Senior Bowl Invite

OVERALL

Jaylin Simpson is a long-limbed athlete with a lean frame that has the room to add weight. The versatile defender is best in zone coverage, where he can see routes develop in front of him, or in the slot, where he can use his quick feet to transition forward. A highly experienced player, Simpson was able to play in four games as a true freshman.

Simpson aligned in multiple positions in the defensive backfield at Auburn, but he looks most comfortable as a deep defender. He reads the quarterback's eyes and is able to get a good jump on the ball as routes develop in front of him. He's able to cover a lot of ground, and he shows great timing when swiping through at the catch point.

Simpson is an opportunistic player who does a very good job of identifying and attacking the ball in the air. He's a long strider who carries receivers deep but can struggle with more explosive players who get to top speed more quickly.

When tackling and defending the run, Simpson's lack of ideal weight and strength show up at times. He's a physical and willing tackler who does a good job of quickly reacting to the run and coming downhill to close the space. When he gets there, he generally does a great job of getting underneath ball-carriers and wrestling them to the ground.

However, there are times where Simpson struggles to take on blockers. Although he shows good physicality and aggressiveness, his lack of strength can lead to him getting pushed around at times.

Ultimately, Simpson is a high-level athlete who is more than capable of turning the ball over, as he showed with his seven career interceptions at Auburn. He has the skill set to play safety in the NFL, but he will need to continue to fill out his frame and add strength. His versatility is his biggest asset, which should lead him to being a middle-round selection.

GRADE: 6.8 (Potential Role Player/Contributor — 4th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 95

POSITION RANK: S7

PRO COMPARISON: Cordale Flott

Written by B/R NFL Scout Cory Giddings

Visit B/R's NFL Scouting Department hub for scouting reports on all of the top prospects.