It’s a good time to need a safety because free agency is absolutely loaded with talented players. The Los Angeles Rams are among the many teams that could use help at the position as both Jordan Fuller and John Johnson, their two starters from last season, will be free agents next week.
With a free-agent market that already features Jordan Poyer, Xavier McKinney, Quandre Diggs, Jamal Adams, C.J. Gardner Johnson and Kevin Byard, Justin Simmons has now been added to the pool of talented safeties – and he might just be the Rams’ best option.
The Broncos released Simmons on Thursday, saving $14.5 million in cap space. He’s long been considered one of the best safeties in the NFL, earning two Pro Bowl selections in the last four years and being voted a second-team All-Pro in four of the last five seasons. In each of his eight seasons in the NFL, he’s had at least two interceptions, totaling 30 in his career.
Broncos are releasing former All-Pro safety Justin Simmons after eight seasons in Denver, per league sources.
Moving on from Simmons, who went to the Pro Bowl last season, will save the Broncos $14.5 million against their salary cap. pic.twitter.com/AnBnuOVOlQ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 7, 2024
Simmons is a model of consistency at safety, finishing with a PFF grade of 67 or better in seven of his eight seasons. The only exception was 2018 when he had a 60.9 grade, still a solid number. He’s as well-rounded a defender as they come, too.
Across run defense, tackling, pass rush and coverage, Simmons has never finished with a season grade lower than 51.2 at any of those spots. His most missed tackles in a season is 14, though he’s had nine or fewer in six of seven seasons.
Essentially, Simmons is a plug-and-play safety in any defense, immediately upgrading the secondary in a big way. He’s a true free safety capable of playing deep and taking away downfield passes, while also showing the ability to play in the box and cover the slot; he’s played over 1,000 slot snaps and 2,000 in the box.
On his last contract, Simmons was making more than $15 million per year. Now 30 years old, Simmons likely won’t command that sort of money, especially with all the great options at safety in free agency. He should still make at least $10 million annually, but that might actually be in the Rams’ price range if they covet his skill set.
He’s a safety worth looking to sign, swapping him in for either Fuller or Johnson if they leave in free agency.
