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College Football

1981 NFL Draft · Rd 3 · #64 overall

John Simmons SMU Draft

John Simmons was drafted No. 64 overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 1981 NFL Draft out of SMU. 72 regular-season games · 6 career approximate value

Overall pick
#64
Round
3
Draft class
1981
NFL games
72
Career AV
629th at SMU

The pick

How John Simmons came off the board in 1981.

Drafted by

Cincinnati Bengals

Rd 3 · #64 overall · AFC North

Full 1981 draft class (332 picks)
Position
Defensive back DB
College
SMU ACC at the draft
Side of the ball
Defense

NFL career

72 regular-season games · 6 career approximate value

Games played
72
Career approximate value
629th among SMU picks
AV with the drafting club
6100% of career value
Final season
19876 years after the draft

Around pick 64

Who came off the board on either side of John Simmons.

#62 Ray Stachowicz P · GB Michigan State #63 Greg Meisner NT · LAR Pittsburgh #65 Carlton Williamson DB · SF Pittsburgh · 2× Pro Bowl #66 Robert Cobb DE · LAR Arizona

SMU in the 1981 draft

Teammates who went in the same class.

#182 Lee Spivey T · DET SMU #224 Byron Hunt LB · NYG SMU #228 Mike Ford QB · TB SMU

Other DB picks from SMU

The program's most accomplished players at the same spot.

#35 Wes Hopkins DB · PHI · 1983 SMU · 1× All-Pro · 1× Pro Bowl #25 Rod Jones DB · TB · 1986 SMU #10 Russell Carter DB · NYJ · 1984 SMU #49 Reggie Phillips DB · CHI · 1985 SMU #180 Kenneth Acker DB · SF · 2014 SMU #117 Donald Mitchell DB · TEN · 1999 SMU

About this draft profile

Last updated Aug 24, 2026

John Simmons in the 1981 NFL Draft

John Simmons is a Defensive back out of SMU selected No. 64 overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 1981 NFL Draft. 72 regular-season games · 6 career approximate value SMU has produced 55 NFL draft picks since 1980.

Where this data comes from

Pick order and career outcomes come from the nflverse draft archive; position, measurables, and conference at the time of the draft come from the college feed. Career columns stay empty until a player logs regular-season snaps.

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Frequently asked questions

Where was John Simmons drafted?

John Simmons was selected No. 64 overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 1981 NFL Draft (Rd 3). Full pick detail at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/1981/john-simmons.

What college did John Simmons play for?

John Simmons played college football at SMU in the ACC. See every SMU draft pick at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/schools/smu-mustangs.

How did John Simmons's NFL career turn out?

72 regular-season games · 6 career approximate value Career outcome data at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/1981/john-simmons.