Shane Simpson is an intriguing option at RB in the 2021 NFL Draft
By Jeremy Klump
The Miami Dolphins have a hole at running back, and they will likely use the 2021 NFL Draft to find their guy. The only thing is, taking a running back in the first round would be a bad decision for the Dolphins. I believe Miami should wait until the later rounds to draft a running back, and I think they should go in with the mindset of having a running back by committee approach. If they do, one running back that really intrigues me is former Towson and Virginia running back Shane Simpson.
There is no denying that Miami has adopted a lot of the New England Patriots’ ways. Head coach Brian Flores started in New England in 2004 and was there until he took the Miami head coaching gig in 2019. Flores is cut from the Bill Belichick cloth, and you can see it in the way he builds his team. That is why Simpson intrigues me so much and would be a perfect fit in Miami.
The 5-8, 200 pound running back reminds me of the Patriots running back James White, and I think the Dolphins agree. Simpson confirmed to me that he spoke with the Dolphins this offseason, so there is some interest there too.
In college, Simpson started his career at Towson University, where he was a star and a two-time captain. Before he was granted a sixth year of eligibility due to injury by the NCAA, Simpson compiled 5,088 all-purpose yards in 35 games or 145 all-purpose yards per game. He was a first-team FCS All-American. Interestingly enough, and why I love his fit with Miami, Simpson was also a second-team kick returner and a third-team punt returner, highlighting his versatility.
Simpson played his sixth year at Virginia this season, where he had 600 all-purpose yards and scored three touchdowns in 10 games. Simpson averaged an impressive 31.5 yards per kick return on six returns. It was a difficult offseason because of COVID-19, so it was a great showing for Simpson, who was joining a new team with all of the complications involved this offseason.
Simpson made his biggest play of the year against UNC. He was lined up in the backfield and flared out to the left. The quarterback got him the ball quick, and Simpson did the rest, taking the pass 71-yards for a touchdown.
I asked Simpson what he could bring to an NFL team, and he said, “I can bring a whole lot because of my versatility. I can run the ball, I can catch the ball out of the backfield, I can play in the slot, and you can motion me out, and I am comfortable running routes too. I also add value on special teams as a returner.”
Simpson could become Miami’s 3rd down running back, like White is for New England, on Day 1. Along with being a 3rd down specialist at running back, Simpson is an elite returner. He just has “it” when he catches a kick, and the way he navigates through the traffic to find the perfect crease is impressive. With Miami likely moving on from wide receiver Jakeem Grant this offseason, adding a returner like Simpson makes a lot of sense too.
At his Pro Day, Simpson shined, running a 4.4 40-yard dash. He also had a 37 inch vertical and a 9’10 broad jump. These were great numbers for Simpson and helped solidify that he should have a place in the NFL.
Playing on 3rd down, running the ball, and catching the ball gets all the shine, but NFL teams look for their 3rd down running backs to be elite in pass protection. Simpson has improved as a pass blocker and feels he can be effective in the NFL with it because of his football intelligence. “I felt like I was a decent blocker at Towson for the most part, but I improved at Virginia,” Simpson explained. “Pass pro was something we did every day for individual periods at practice. I think I can be effective in the NFL because of my FBI [football intelligence]. Just knowing a defense, you can pick up where the blitz is coming from a majority of the time. Also, if you don’t want to leave the field, being good in pass protection is an attribute that will help in the long run.”
If his versatility and 3rd down ability aren’t enough for you, Miami fans will love Simpson’s “Football Guy” mentality. I asked Simpson what he would bring to an NFL team outside of just his game, and Simpson said, “I bring a leadership role, obviously me being a 2-time team captain at Towson. Going through adversity, I am never going to give up. I am only going to come back stronger. I am going to be the hardest worker in the room, and you can always count on me.”
It will be interesting to see what the Dolphins do at running back, but they should strongly consider adding Simpson. In the sixth or seventh round, Miami can likely get Simpson and pair him with an early-down running back like Malcolm Brown.
Brown, or whoever Miami would get for that role, would be able to handle the 1st and 2nd down carries, as well as short-yardage, but then you would be able to have Simpson check in on every third down or passing situation. It would be the same dynamic that the Patriots have on offense with White, which has worked for years.
This way of thinking at the running back position has not really been discussed this offseason for the Dolphins. However, adding a running back like Simpson is intriguing. Teams always try to find steals in the NFL Draft, and I believe that Simpson will be a steal in the 2021 NFL Draft.