Justin Simmons Fantasy

Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons accepted his franchise tender on Friday and is expected to sign it this weekend, according to sources. A third-round pick in 2016, the 26-year-old played at a Pro Bowl level in 2019 and was tied for second on the team with 93 tackles. Simmons led the team with four interceptions and 15 passes defensed and was named an All-Pro for his efforts. Re-signing Simmons to a long-term deal will require elite money, with the five highest-paid safeties in the league all having contracts that average between $14 million and $14.6 million. He could be just as good or better in his second season with Vic Fangio at the helm, and Simmons is in the picture as a starting defensive back in IDP leagues.

Jul. 10th • 2:13 PM

Denver Broncos free safety Justin Simmons was only targeted 44 times in 2019, but he was very effective when he was the nearest defender on a target. His 34.1 percent ballhawk rate -- the percentage of targets where the nearest defender made a play on the football -- was the best among those meeting NFL.com's Nick Shook's criteria by more than six percentage points. Simmons' catch rate allowed below expectation wasn't all that impressive at minus-6.7 percent, but his tight-window percentage of 34.1 helped him allow a low 34.7 passer rating. The Broncos slapped the franchise tag on the 26-year-old and hope to iron out a long-term extension before July 15. Simmons is the strength of Denver's secondary now and is a fringe defensive back starter in IDP leagues.

Jun. 4th • 7:27 PM

Denver Broncos general manager John Elway said that the team and safety Justin Simmons are in "active negotiations" on a contract extension and the two sides have exchanged offers. The two sides have until July 15 to work out a long-term deal after the Broncos placed the franchise tag on Simmons in March. The 26-year-old has become a leader of Denver's secondary, recording 90-plus combined tackles each of the last two seasons, and he also had a career-high four interceptions and 15 passes defensed over a full season in 2019. The two sides should be able to get something done before this summer.

Apr. 20th • 3:33 PM