The Cardinals liked him at Tennessee enough that he was on the radar as a possible third-day draft pick, and with many veteran defensive linemen limited at minicamp, Simmons got multiple reps with the first unit.
"As an undrafted free agent rookie, that's rare, so take advantage," defensive lineman Calais Campbell said. "Make it look good. He's a big strong guy, I'm sure he bench-presses over 500 pounds. But he works hard. It's hard to get good information this early, but he hasn't messed up much. He's focused and eager."
He seems at peace with the idea the only Simmons he heard called on the NFL draft stage was that day he heard the Titans pick. He knew the Cardinals had interest – and said it wasn't the only team – but wasn't going to dwell on how he arrived in the pros.
"I never took anything for granted," Simmons said. "When opportunity comes, it comes. I never doubt anything. They pick who they pick. Now I have the opportunity to live out my dreams. I just have to take it with a grain of salt."
Simmons approaches his position room's depth chart the same. He competes. He gleans advice and information from the veterans when he can.
That's exactly the approach his coach wants Simmons to take.
"The battling the depth chart, if you are counting numbers, that's an external factor that's really pointless," Jonathan Gannon said. "Control what you can control and become the best player, because you don't know how it's going to kick out."
Maybe, just maybe, Simmons can find that spot in the NFL that Watt had once suggested. The Cardinals do happen to host the Texans this season.
"Hopefully," Simmons said, "I can meet him at a game."