PFF lists Callahan, Simmons among best players in the NFL
Jun 23, 2021, 9:01 AM
Bryce Callahan and Justin Simmons made the list of Pro Football Focus’ 50 best players in the NFL right now.
The countdown of the #PFF50 continues
No. 50-21 is LIVE 🔥⤵️https://t.co/098bxFpKXN
— PFF (@PFF) June 23, 2021
Callahan came in at No. 36 on the top-50 list after recording 42 tackles, two interceptions and five pass deflections in 10 games for the Broncos in 2020.
“Callahan may be the most underrated player in the NFL. An undersized slot corner by trade, he was asked to moonlight on the outside as a perimeter corner multiple times last season due to injuries in the Denver secondary. He didn’t just hold up; he continued to thrive,” Pro Football Focus wrote.
The Broncos’ cornerback room is stacked heading into the 2021 season with George Paton adding Kyle Fuller and Ronald Darby to the mix in free agency and then drafting Patrick Surtain II with the ninth-overall pick in the draft.
Callahan stepped up last season when the backfield was riddled with injuries and could absolutely have a standout year again.
“Callahan allowed a passer rating of 46.9 into his coverage in 2020, the best mark in the NFL,” Pro Football Focus wrote. “He didn’t allow a touchdown or even a completion longer than 19 yards all season despite playing outside of his natural position for extended periods. If he can back up that kind of performance, he will remain one of the best players in the league — at any position.”
Simmons landed at the No. 23 spot on PFF’s list.
Of course the highest-paid safety in the NFL should come close to one of the best players in the league after a stellar 2020 performance where he totaled a career-high five interceptions to go along with nine pass breakups.
“Simmons is a free safety for the Broncos, but he can impact far more plays than most free safeties throughout the NFL,” Pro Football Focus wrote. “He has notched 28 defensive stops over the past two seasons, a top-11 figure in each season, and almost every player ranked ahead of him is primarily a box safety by trade. Simmons is the highest-graded safety in the league since the start of the 2019 season.”
