PFF predicts Simmons stays, Harris leaves Denver Broncos
Pro Football Focus predicts the Denver Broncos will keep Justin Simmons, has Shelby Harris signing elsewhere.
Oh, free agency. It’s one of those things in sports that is both exciting but yet heartbreaking at times. For the Denver Broncos, the 2021 version has a chance to be both.
Two members of the Broncos are on Pro Football Focus’ Top 100 Free Agents of 2021.
Justin Simmons is ranked as PFF’s sixth-best free agent, while Harris is ranked as the 46th overall free agent.
With that being said, also included in the article is a prediction for where each player would sign, as well as the price and duration of their next contract.
Justin Simmons predicted to stay on long-term deal
The Broncos and Simmons were unable to come to a long-term agreement in 2020, and therefore Simmons played on the franchise tag.
In Pro Football Focus’ contract scenario, the Broncos lock Simmons up for five years at $82.5 million ($45 million guaranteed, $22.5 million fully guaranteed at signing).
Last year, Simmons turned down an offer that would have made him the fifth or sixth-highest-paid safety in the league.
After making the Pro Bowl roster but also getting snubbed from the All-Pro team for 2020, Simmons is still projected to get a nice pay raise. Simmons is only 26 years old and he could lock up a nice contract with the Broncos.
If worked out properly, this very well could happen. Both sides would benefit.
Will Shelby Harris leave the Denver Broncos?
Another player expected to get a nice pay raise is defensive lineman Shelby Harris. Harris has been an awesome player for the Broncos for several years.
His ability to knock down passes or field goal attempts is unlike any other player in the league. Harris also has 16.5 sacks in his career.
The contract PFF has Harris signing is a three-year deal worth $33.375 million with the Arizona Cardinals. That proposal has an APY of $11.125 million.
As PFF points out, the Broncos have addressed the defensive line over the last couple of years, ultimately preparing to lose one of them. It could be Harris on the way out.
Next. 4 Denver Broncos who could be future postseason studs. dark
The team will need to make some difficult decisions this offseason. While one of these two players could stay (I’m betting Simmons), they’re bound to lose out on the other. That’s just the way things go in the NFL.