Top Free Agent Landing Spots For S Justin Simmons

Justin Simmons is a model of consistency. With a reputation as one of the hardest hitters in the league since the retirement of Kam Chancellor, Simmons spent the first eight years of his career in Denver. With the Broncos, he was a key piece of their defense for a long time, totaling 603 tackles and 30 interceptions in his eight seasons there. Coverage was his specialty, but he was tough in run support as well and could be deployed all over the defense.

Eventually Simmons’ time in Denver came to an end and he played for the Falcons last year, putting up a solid season statline of 62 tackles and a pair of interceptions. His play has declined a bit in recent years, with his PFF grade dropping to 59.8 last year after being in the 70s and 80s most of his time with the Broncos.

While he’s no longer a lockdown, do-it-all safety net on the back end, he can still be an effective complementary piece for a defense in need of reinforcements in the secondary. Simmons’ experience in the Vic Fangio-style defense that’s en vogue around the league is also notable and should help broaden the potential landing spots. 

Simmons, 31, is a former third-round pick of the Broncos out of Boston College back in 2016. He played out the final year of his four-year, $3.02 million rookie contract that included a $645,420 signing bonus and was franchise-tagged by the Broncos in 2020.

Simmons was franchised again before he signed a four-year, $61 million extension with the Broncos in 2021. He was set to make a base salary of $14.5 million in the final year of that deal in 2024 when the Broncos released him in February. 

Atlanta signed Simmons to a one-year, $8 million contract for the 2024 season.

In 2024, Simmons appeared in 16 games for the Falcons and recorded 62 total tackles, two tackles for loss, two interceptions and seven pass deflections. 

We have him included in our Top 100 Available NFL Free Agents list.

Buffalo Bills

The Bills did a good job retooling on defense this offseason. After a season in which QB Josh Allen won his first MVP but the defense failed to live up to their end of the bargain, Buffalo knew they needed more firepower on that side of the ball. ED Joey Bosa replaced Von Miller in free agency, and draft picks CB Maxwell Hairston, DT T.J. Sanders, and DT Deone Walker should provide reinforcements at key areas on the roster. Hairston might need an adjustment period to be a quality starter, but the upside is there.

Safety remains a question mark, however. The trio of Damar Hamlin, Taylor Rapp and Cole Bishop made for one of the worst safety groups in the league last season, with Hamlin and Bishop ranking outside the top 80 safeties in PFF grade. Rapp was the highest graded of the three, with a 57.7 grade that ranked just 75th overall. If the Bills’ defense is to take a step forward this year, they need better play on the back end.

Even though Simmons is coming off a down year, he’d still be the best safety on the Bills’ roster. Buffalo has worked to get younger on defense over the last year or so, but they still need production from those young players. Simmons wouldn’t command a major financial commitment, and he’d be available on a one-year deal. The Bills could sign him to start this year and let him walk next year quite easily.

Minnesota Vikings

Vikings DC Brian Flores runs a unique scheme. He’s known for a lot of things, including his exotic blitz packages and how often he asks his corners to hold up in one-on-one matchups. But one of his more under-the-radar hallmarks in Minnesota is his penchant for running three safeties. Harrison Smith, Camryn Bynum and Josh Metellus were on the field a lot together last year, creating havoc and turnovers on a routine basis.

Bynum is now in Indianapolis, and the Vikings didn’t do anything to replace him. Theo Jackson projects as the third safety now, and he’s barely played since entering the league in 2022. If Flores wants to continue to play his three-safety lineups, he could count on Jackson stepping up. Or he could bring in Simmons to fill the third safety role. It’s an ideal spot for Simmons to be, especially as he enters the latter stages of his career. He won’t be asked to do too much or be the lynchpin of the defense. His hard-hitting, ball-hawking tendencies are a perfect match for Flores and this Minnesota defense. It’s a perfect match.

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals underachieved last year in a major way. Star QB Joe Burrow put up MVP-caliber numbers, but the defense was a letdown. Losing in a shootout became all too common for Cincinnati last year, and despite the weekly impressive performances from Burrow and the offense, poor defensive play across the board prevented them from ever being serious contenders.

Cincinnati took initiative this offseason to address some of its defensive woes. First-round pick ED Shemar Stewart will provide some pass rush juice on the defensive line. Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter might be the future at linebacker, and Knight could find his way to a starting role as a rookie. But the one area of their defense they haven’t addressed is the secondary. Daxton Hill getting healthy will help the cornerback room, but the safety spots will be the same as last year.

In 2024’s free agency, the Bengals signed Geno Stone from the Ravens as one of their big offseason acquisitions. It didn’t go as planned, as Stone struggled with a 53.1 PFF grade, ranking 83rd among safeties. Their other starter, Jordan Battle, also had a 53.1 PFF grade which ranked 82nd. Right now, the Trey Hendrickson contract situation is Cincinnati’s top priority. But upgrading at safety should also be on the list. Even if you expect a bounce-back season from Stone, insurance at safety is still a must. Simmons could come in and be expected to take Battle’s spot. Even if he doesn’t, he’d provide critical depth and push both Stone and Battle in practice.

Other teams to watch: New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos