Denver Broncos S Justin Simmons not planning a redshirt
Denver Broncos rookie safety Justin Simmons is planning to play right away and contribute to the league’s best defense…
Denver Broncos rookie safety Justin Simmons was a steal at the end of the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft, but what kind of role might he play as a rookie?
Simmons tested out as one of the most athletically gifted players in the entire draft regardless of position, and could take David Bruton’s place as the top coverage safety on this team. He says he’s not planning on a redshirt year this year — he plans to play early on.
“That’s the goal—to come in and play,” Simmons said after Broncos rookies reported to camp Monday. “It’s not college. You don’t redshirt. You don’t just get to take a year and see how things work. It’s a job now. You’ve got to come in and compete for those spots. If you’re not (competing), the guy behind you is. That’s definitely the goal to make sure I get out there by any means necessary.”
Inadvertently, Simmons may have just made a compelling argument that Paxton Lynch should be in more serious contention to be the starting quarterback this year, but that’s another topic for another day…
Despite the competition from veterans T.J. Ward and Darian Stewart, Simmons says that the focus this offseason has been for these guys to all make each other better. Stewart and Ward have been great for these young players in terms of showing them the ropes and setting high expectations.
“Yes, 100 percent. Those guys demand a level of excellence and a way to do things in the secondary. They are not going to let a couple of rookies come in and lower the bar. There is a standard already set, being that they are already the best secondary in the league. We have to come in and match that; not come in, feel it out and see how it goes. We have to come in and match that mindset, that mentality and get out there and compete.”
It’s an interesting dynamic for rookies and newcomers to this team. All summer long, these young players have watched some of their new teammates celebrating from afar, getting Super Bowl rings and participating in a number of victory rallies.
That celebrating has been motivation for Simmons and the other rookies to get this team back to the Super Bowl and get that feeling for themselves.
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“It was great. It was awesome to experience, but in the back of my mind it was like, wow, what an opportunity we have to repeat that. Not only for the rest of the rookies here that want that goal to be in that spot next year. It was more of a motivational standpoint for us and especially for me to see those guys and all of the hard work that they persevered throughout the season pay off. It’s just more and more motivation carrying into the season.”
If the Broncos are going to repeat, Simmons is sure to be a big part of it. The Broncos lost plenty in the way of depth this offseason, but you’d be hard pressed to find a team that added perhaps even better depth players and athletes than they had before than this one. I for one view Simmons as an upgrade for the Broncos and think he has a chance to play significant snaps right away.
The ball-hawking safety has great size, length, and explosive athletic ability. There will be a role for him in the No Fly Zone and Wade Phillips will be excited to have his leadership and football IQ in the meeting rooms.
This kid has a special future.