1. Justin Simmons
The Broncos quietly roster one of the best safeties in the entire NFL.
There’s no two ways about it, folks: Justin Simmons will be one of the most sought after free agents next offseason. While he’s been a reliable starter for Denver for the last three years, he really entered the elite conversation in 2019.
Simmons started all 16 games last season while playing 100% (!) of the defensive snaps, recording 93 tackles, 15 passes defensed and 4 interceptions along the way. Those numbers are impressive for a safety, but they don’t even begin to encapsulate his dominance in coverage. For context, Pro Football Focus gave the former third-round pick a 90.5 coverage grade and 90.4 seasonal grade for his efforts in 2019. Both of those ranked first among ALL defensive backs in the NFL.
Simmons will be due for a monster extension next offseason, and the Colts will undoubtedly be able to offer him one once the contracts of Philip Rivers and Jacoby Brissett, who combine to form a $46.375 million cap hit this year, come off the books.
What makes Simmons a legitimate trade target for Indy is that the Broncos are already 0-2 and will be without quarterback Drew Lock for multiple weeks after he went down with a sprained AC join in his throwing shoulder on Sunday. To add injury to insult, No. 1 wideout Courtland Sutton suffered a season-ending ACL in the game, too.
If Denver mails it in — chances are they do — the Colts should seriously get them on the phone with an offer for Simmons at the ready.
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