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2027 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Texas Edge Colin Simmons
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- 2027 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Texas Edge Colin Simmons
2027 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Texas Edge Colin Simmons
You can't have a truly dominant defense without an elite edge rusher, and that's why Texas' Colin Simmons is likely to be one of the first non-quarterbacks off the board in the 2027 NFL Draft.
A well-rounded prospect with a motor that always runs hot, Simmons has the explosiveness and technique to get after the quarterback early and often, and the athleticism and physicality to make big plays in the backfield against the run. He put up huge numbers for the Longhorns in 2025, and is poised to build on that success with another productive campaign in 2026 before making the leap to the pros.
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Here's everything fans need to know about Simmons as we look ahead to the 2027 NFL Draft:
Vitals
Height:6-3
Weight:246
Age:20
Strengths
Good luck keeping this guy out of your backfield. Simmons is a disruptive presence who explodes off the ball and creates a ton of chaos, blowing up running plays before they get started and instantly pressuring opposing quarterbacks. He shows a wide range of effective pass-rushing moves that combine his natural athleticism and explosiveness with violent hands and the balance to consistently dip under blockers and beat them around the arc. Simmons can quickly diagnose what's happening in the backfield, tracking the ball effectively and not falling for fakes and misdirection. He plays with a high level of effort on every snap, competing at full bore from snap to whistle, and initiating a physical style of play with anyone in his path. He showed marked improvement as a run defender last season, using his smarts and athleticism to beat slower blockers with quick moves to stay free and get after the ball-carrier. Simmons has a proven track record of production against top competition after leading the SEC with 12 sacks in 2025.
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Weaknesses
While his initial pass-rushing moves are often effective, Simmons can struggle when that first move doesn't get him to the quarterback, and he'll need to develop a wider array of counter moves if he wants to consistently beat NFL tackles. Though he's made impressive strides defending the run, Simmons still gets most of his wins in that department by going under or around blockers, and he can get washed out of running plays too easily when opponents get locked into his chest.
Final Analysis
Simmons has proven he can be a dominant edge rusher against top competition, and his nonstop motor and punishing style of play is what every defensive coordinator wants to set the tone for the entire defense. If he can develop an effective counter game as a pass rusher, and get stronger when anchoring against the run, Simmons could be a high-impact player on all three downs at the next level.
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Current Projection: Top 10
2027 NFL DRAFT RANKINGS
QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | Interior OL | Edge | Interior DL | LB | CB | S
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Sep 3, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
