Auburn DB Jaylin Simpson drafted No. 164 overall by the Indianapolis Colts

Multi-year starter at both corner and safety, Jaylin Simpson, has been drafted in the 5th round by the Indianapolis Colts. Simpson is the No. 164 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

As a recruit

On3 Industry Ranking (2019 Recruiting Class): 4-star, No. 312 nationally, No. 2 ATH, No. 34 Georgia

Jaylin Simpson was a talented cornerback at Frederica Academy in Brunswick, Ga., with 48 tackles and four interceptions as a senior, helping his team win the state championship. He played quarterback on the offensive side of the ball. He was also a state high jump champion and lettered in both basketball and baseball. Simpson chose Auburn over offers from South Carolina, Ohio State, Oklahoma, LSU and others.

Simpson chose Auburn despite offers from big programs. He and his teammate (Jashawn Sheffield) both chose to go to Auburn. Sheffield left after a year with the program and Simpson became a mainstay on the field at Auburn.

Jaylin Simpson at Auburn

Simpson tallied 116 tackles, four tackles for loss and seven interceptions during his five years at Auburn. Simpson started at cornerback before moving to safety full time his last two seasons. He racked up four picks during the 2023 season, climbing up the draft boards in the process. 

Games of note: He had five tackles and one interception in the loss at Mississippi State in 2022, and six tackles each in the losses to Arkansas and at Alabama in 2022. Simpson projects as a starter at safety entering his senior season.

PFF Grades/NFL Combine

Pro Football Focus graded Simpson as the No. 14 overall safety in college football last season when it comes to coverage ability. Simpson was named second-team All-SEC following last season.

Simpson attended the NFL Combine and put up some nice scores. He ran a 4.45 40-yard dash and jumped 39.5″ in the vertical jump. He measured 6-foot and 179 pounds.

Strengths and weaknesses

Strengths and weaknesses provided by nfldraftbuzz.com

STRENGTHS

• Does a good job getting his head around in time when playing with his back to the line of scrimmage. Has the ability to cover quickness underneath.
• Reads the QB and gets good breaks on the ball. Bigger hitter than his slight frame implies. Closes quickly and generates explosion.
• He’s tall-framed with long arms to match. With his powerful hands, straight-line speed, and fluidity in his hips, turning and chasing downfield shouldn’t be a problem.
• He’s tall-framed with long arms to match. With his powerful hands, straight-line speed, and fluidity in his hips, turning and chasing downfield shouldn’t be a problem.
• Has the change-of-direction ability to mirror underneath but did solid work out of press and off coverage.
• In coverage, Simpson has the fluid hips and speed to turn and run with athletic tight ends. Simpson also shows tremendous awareness and an understanding of routes when sitting back in zone coverage, with the twitch and speed to close on the ball quickly.

WEAKNESSES

• Has tense ankles and hips with choppy footwork when attempting to redirect and doesn’t always look natural changing directions.
• Susceptible to the big plays as a gambler at the catch point and as a catch-and-run victim. He’s also too reluctant to come up and make hits in run support, often focusing on the strip more than the tackle. 
• He’ll draw plenty of flags early on with his playing style. Simpson is hesitant when facing the action in zone coverage.