Denver Broncos: Handing out team awards for the 2020 season

Denver Broncos: Handing out some team awards for the 2020 season

Dec 27, 2020; Inglewood, California, USA; Denver Broncos free safety Justin Simmons (31) greets running backs Melvin Gordon (25) and LeVante Bellamy (32) during pregame warmups before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /

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Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Defensive Player of the Year: Justin Simmons

There are several contenders for this award.

Bradley Chubb had a great bounce-back year, earning a selection to the Pro Bowl in the process. Shelby Harris was terrific as well and then there’s Malik Reed, who actually led the team in sacks.

But the best player on this defense is Justin Simmons and he turned in another great year, proving that he is one of the best safeties in the NFL.

Simmons led the team with five interceptions and was third in total tackles with 96. He added nine passes defended and a fumble recovery but it’s the energy and athleticism that he brings to the field that makes him so important.

The Broncos are going to have to pay a pretty penny to keep Simmons in the fold in 2021 and beyond, but there is no doubt he deserves that big contract. Since being selected in the third round of the 2016 draft, Simmons has yet to have a bad season and rarely has a bad game.

Simmons still has a way to go to be mentioned in the same breath as Broncos legends Steve Atwater and Dennis Smith, but the talent to get to their level is there.

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