Brian Simmons: Pick #17 in the 1998 NFL Draft

Brian Simmons is a former linebacker out of North Carolina, selected by the Cincinnati Bengals with the 17th overall pick (round 1) in the 1998 NFL Draft. He played 137 regular-season games from 1998 to 2007. From 1999 on, he played for the Cincinnati Bengals and New Orleans Saints.

Draft Details

Year

1998

Round

Round 1

Pick

17th overall

Team

Cincinnati Bengals

Position

LB

College

North Carolina

Brian Simmons Career Stats

Primary starter for 8 seasons.
Ranks 7th in the 1998 draft class in solo tackles (529).

Career Totals

Games	Solo Tkl	Sacks	Def INT
137	529	24	11

Defense

Season	Team	G	Solo	Ast	TFL	Sacks	QB Hits	INT	PD	FF
1999	CIN	16	72	22	12	3	3	0	5	0
2000	CIN	1	6	2	0	1	0	0	0	1
2001	CIN	16	47	32	12	6.5	6	1	5	2
2002	CIN	16	57	21	10	3	3	1	7	0
2003	CIN	16	65	30	0	2	0	2	6	2
2004	CIN	15	56	31	0	1	0	2	4	3
2005	CIN	16	42	32	0	4	0	2	7	3
2006	CIN	10	29	27	0	0	3	2	4	1
2007	NO	11	14	10	0	1	1	0	0	0
Since 1999		117	388	207	34	21.5	16	10	38	12

G = games with at least one recorded statistic; the career games total in the summary above includes every game played.

Season-by-season detail is available from 1999 on; career totals above cover the full career.

Source: nflverse · Updated Sep 28, 2026

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