Justin Simmons ranked NFL’s best safety in 2021
Jun 15, 2021, 11:34 AM
Broncos safety Justin Simmons is already the highest-paid safety in the NFL, but could he now be the best safety in the league?
USA Today put out a list of the top 11 safeties and Simmons was placed as the leading man in the NFL.
ICYMI on @TheNFLWire: @MarkSchofield and I kick off our position lists for 2021 with my look at the NFL's 11 top safeties — a position that requires more versatility than ever before, and perhaps more than any other. https://t.co/rc0thOy7Eu
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) June 15, 2021
“Deciding on the NFL’s best safety in 2021 was a difficult thing to do, as the position requires so many different attributes. But Simmons, who got a new four-year, $61 million contract from the Broncos in March, certainly qualifies,” Doug Farrar wrote. “He’s great at everything from blowing up run fits to bring pressure on the blitz to deep coverage, and though he was prone to the occasional red zone touchdown allowed in 2020, everything else was top-notch.”
After general manager George Paton and Simmons came to an agreement on a new long-term contract, Paton told Simmons he was “the best safety in the league.”
After Simmons’ 2020 performance there aren’t many questions why he is listed as an elite safety.
In 2020, Simmons played two snaps on the defensive line, 319 in the box, 619 at free safety, 144 in the slot, and four at outside cornerback. Last season, Simmons allowed 40 of 52 receptions for 420 yards, 201 yards after the catch, seven touchdowns, five interceptions, three pass breakups, and an opponent passer rating of 99.8.
“That doesn’t tell the whole story, though — against passes of 20 or more air yards, Simmons was as good a deep eraser as there was in the NFL, allowing two catches on five targets for 72 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions” Farrar wrote. “Simmons’ ability to help his teammates recover from coverage issues deep downfield is a huge part of his game.”
