Denver Broncos: Grading the 2019 Safeties

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 1: Justin Simmons #31 of the Denver Broncos celebrates a defensive stop with Kareem Jackson #22 and Will Parks #34 in the third quarter of a game at Empower Field at Mile High on December 1, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 1: Justin Simmons #31 of the Denver Broncos celebrates a defensive stop with Kareem Jackson #22 and Will Parks #34 in the third quarter of a game at Empower Field at Mile High on December 1, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/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

2019 Stats: 65 Solo Tackles, 2 Tackles For Loss, 15 Passes Defended, 4 Interceptions

2019 Grade: A+ 

Justin Simmons proved in 2019 that he deserves to be with this team for a long, long time. Although statistics, as we know, do not always tell the full story, the amount of passes defended by Simmons has improved by three-fold compared to the first three seasons of his professional career. Simmons also posted a career high in interceptions, putting up four on the season.

Going away from statistics, Justin Simmons played the 2019 season with swagger and confidence, something that had not always been seen from him prior. Simmons was one player that could be counted on to put in 100% effort, no matter the situation or the scoreboard. He was all over the field and had by far his best season as a pro yet. How Simmons was not named to the Pro Bowl, even as an alternate, is still baffling.

Justin Simmons is not just a monster on the field, he is valuable off the field as well. He does a lot in the Denver community and surrounding communities, and was named Denver’s Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee for 2019, his second time earning the accolade. He has become extremely important to Broncos Country and the entire city of Denver.

Although expected to be Denver’s 2020 franchise tag recipient, it is vital that John Elway gets Simmons signed to a long term deal to keep him in Denver. Simmons is an integral part of this defense and this team, and has proven he is just hitting his prime. He is more than worthy of the top grade he is given.