Denver Broncos: Ranking team’s top 5 offseason needs

3. Safety

Just about everyone should be able to agree that the Broncos should re-sign Justin Simmons and that should be the team’s top offseason priority. But what about the other safety, Kareem Jackson?

The team could move on from Jackson in an effort to save even more money, but there isn’t much depth behind him. The Broncos have Trey Marshall and P.J. Locke on the roster, but Will Parks is a guy that the team should probably bring back due to his familiarity with the team.

And even if the team re-signs Simmons and decides to hold onto Jackson for at least another year, it will need to bring in more depth at safety. Drafting a guy like Hamsah Nasirildeen out of Florida State would make a lot of sense.

The free-agent market is a bit thin at strong safety unless the Broncos want to splurge for Los Angeles Rams star John Johnson. That could lead to the team keeping the 33-year old Jackson around a little longer, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as Jackson has been quite productive for the team.

Without any doubt, Paton needs to plan this position out beyond just the 2021 season. Bringing Parks back would give the Broncos the depth needed to help prepare that spot for a young player to eventually ascend into.