Denver Broncos 2020 free agents: Who stays and who goes?

ORCHARD PARK, NY - NOVEMBER 24: Justin Simmons #31 of the Denver Broncos celebrates his interception during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on November 24, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - NOVEMBER 24: Justin Simmons #31 of the Denver Broncos celebrates his interception during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on November 24, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) /
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Denver Broncos Justin Simmons free agency
DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 3: Justin Simmons #31 of the Denver Broncos celebrates a defensive stop against the Cleveland Browns in the fourth quarter of a game at Empower Field at Mile High on November 3, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

Justin Simmons, safety (2020 age: 26)

Status: Unrestricted free agent

We’ll start off with an easy one here.

Justin Simmons was easily John Elway’s best draft pick from 2013-2017.

Seriously.

With all due respect to the impact other players in those years made to the Broncos, no player has become a star at their position quite like Justin Simmons.

Simmons blossomed under Vic Fangio this season, and as a third-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, he’s proven to be much better than even his top 100 draft status.

The Broncos have made public their desire to keep Simmons, and Simmons has made public his desire to be with the Broncos.

The going rate for top safeties these days is north of $12-13 million. Simmons could easily average $13-14 million on a long-term deal with guys like Kevin Byard signing for five years, $70.5 million and Tyrann Mathieu signing for three years, $42 million.

If the going rate is $14 million, then so be it.

Simmons is an essential piece of this team moving forward. The Broncos must pay up.

Verdict: Stay