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NFL free agency 2020: Best safeties available

By Russell S. Baxter

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 11: Jimmie Ward #20 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after a play against the Minnesota Vikings during the NFC Divisional Round Playoff game at Levi's Stadium on January 11, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 11: Jimmie Ward #20 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after a play against the Minnesota Vikings during the NFC Divisional Round Playoff game at Levi's Stadium on January 11, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 29: Justin Simmons #31 of the Denver Broncos signals a missed field goal in the first quarter of a game against the Oakland Raiders at Empower Field at Mile High on December 29, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 29: Justin Simmons #31 of the Denver Broncos signals a missed field goal in the first quarter of a game against the Oakland Raiders at Empower Field at Mile High on December 29, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

2. FS Justin Simmons (Denver Broncos)

Very much like Minnesota’s Anthony Harris, Denver Broncos’ free safety Justin Simmons is a player on the rise.  And it’s safe to say that the four-year pro’s first season under head coach Vic Fangio and defensive coordinator Ed Donatell was a rousing success.
While Harris is the top-ranked safety in the league via Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Simmons is second on the list. A 16-game starter each of the past two seasons, the 2016 third-round pick from Boston College played in 13 contests in each of his first two campaigns. There were three starts as a rookie and that morphed into 13 starts his second year.

In his third season, he finished with an impressive 97 tackles, to go along with three interceptions and four passes defensed. But 2019 proved to be a breakout campaign for this 6’2”, 202-pound pro. Simmons was tied for second on the club with 93 tackles and led the Broncos with a career-best four interceptions and personal-high 15 passes defensed.

After a rough start, the Broncos’ defense began to come into its own and by year’s end, was ranked 12th in the league in total yards allowed per game and the team surrendered only 28 offensive touchdowns and less than 20 points per contests. Simmons and teammates such as defensive end Derek Wolfe and cornerback Chris Harris Jr. are all potential free agents. Who will hit the open market?

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